ission to walk through

halls. She did not avert her eyes in the throne room. S

ed them

handmaidens. They called her witch, temptress,

d it to bein

-

hed her dif

touch her

s? They nev

court

hispers now brewed i

from a fa

ed to sit besid

st sleeping w

changi

-

iora attended, Kaelen said

d up. Some scoffed.

hind him at

tland border

the general said. "Bandits from

tepped

Send

le

s turne

idn't

e families. Starving. If you want peace

d. "And who are you

ered before

estroyed," he said. "And she sits at my sid

heart

more th

s recog

-

didn't come t

went

ace and gold cha

one, pour

he court thinks yo

m

er over his sh

im slowly, her v

ir lips met like sword

, the kiss

r. More

rs trailing old scars. His hands grip

chains," he whisper

whispered back, breat

gro

her neck. Her sh

silk, but made her

he did not d

kne

ve, became a queen in e