d against the stone as dawn brok

te strokes, each movement precise a

le's outer wall, their lifeless eye

d to sell to

pproached with measured steps, his

had taught him when to speak and

dealt with accordin

weight of steel against my hip a

ow they died quickly.

xury I'd abandoned the day my m

a kindness I could afford, and ki

n wielded

r hung at my belt, its hollow soc

vants were scrubbing blood from th

as commonplace in Shadowmere, as

ces

spered through the bone, so soft on

. Storm clouds ga

skull's smooth surface, feeling

ne with the spirits trapped with

ar. Princess of the Skulls. The

tool in my arsenal, and I wielded

erythi

I murmured back, my lips barely movi

of smoke from the forges and brea

rom the executions. Life continued,

vants who'd witnessed three men lo

stories that would grow more

emon who drank blood from goblets ma

children to sleep with tales of the

commanded ar

t was enti

nd made my way through the corr

es lined the walls, their threads d

nted portraits, their eyes follow

h iron will and bloody hands. Ea

ve our

woul

stood open, revealing the seat of

e light from the high windows. At fifty-two, King Magnus Blackthorne st

His eyes, the same steel gray as

ating i

?" he asked wi

fore the throne's base, close eno

s will receive compensation for t

loyalty more effectively th

oss his lips. "Spoke

ried an edge I didn't bother to sof

the Bone Oracle

summoned you." Father leaned forwa

hanged, daughter. The kingdom re

la

h. Father's "adjustments" typically

skill learned through years of

circums

posed an alliance." The name hit

son, Prince Aldric, is of m

ound me. Marriage. Alliance. The w

long ago that showing weakness

lly from

y, though rage burned in my chest

s without co

ecessary." Father's tone brooked n

tary strength, combined with our

for gene

d the skull at my belt, feeling th

an my ne

respect through fear." His eyes h

ocus more e

owed it with the bitter taste of a h

ot from his guidance but from my

ngth, divide my attention be

othing. Better to appear complia

is wedding t

rtnight. The ceremony will follow qui

back into his throne. "You'll

perfunctory. "If there's nothing e

ce stopped me at the throne room's

ccompanyin

ightmares for ten years. The ma

reports. The bastard who'd murd

because politics demande

and for a moment, I let him see

said softly. "I look f

was all teeth and no war

eat-grandmother's voice whispered

ut beware-not all debts c

c, my mind already racing with poss

liance built on a found

ring for revenge, and now it would

silk and tied with

come. Let his bas

hey were walking in

s very, v