The Bastard Prince of Hollowvale

Reach, now bore long cracks veiled by ivy. The stained-glass ceiling had been patched with dull panes of leaded smoke-glass. Even the throne itself had changed: the old hig

nounced in a voice that

aelric of the

in clusters like chess pieces-each brightly dressed, none facing the queen directly. Their mask

st deeply enoug

ryn Vael watched him like

um-a color that declared neither loyalty nor rebellion. He raised

lders. Each noble he passed gave him the same glance: weighing his value,

them n

wine tables. A duel of words played out between a baroness and a scholar over th

lt it-that wei

tur

rne watched him

dark forest green, sleeves laced with embroidery in the shape of twisting thorns. He

yes m

, everything

now what blood she looked at. But something moved in her gaze,

d away, and th

ds hadn't moved, but hi

rd Vae

was smooth and warm-

g in that way vipers do before th

tern Reach sends few sons these d

len said, voice

ou earn such a well-timed

aid. "I have no int

t. The Reach must be flouris

by a passing steward. It was sweet, heavy with

burns quickly here. The queen likes he

ed back at

't stopped