r stood in a

th gold. Tapestries lined the walls, each telling stories of war, kings, and bl

robed in silk, each standing straighter than the last. Al

one would

wless shade of porcelain kissed by morning sun-soft, luminous, and untouched by time her lips full and naturally flushed. A bea

t your grace speak louder than your gown." Still, her cream-colored silk dress hugged her

her buzzed in h

ed girl with sharp eyes and a

red, lips curling into a smirk. "That under all th

doesn't smile, they say. But gods,

sound bouncing off the

aid no

to win his affec

like

freedom. For powe

st her parents to a fi

he tightening of her uncle's jaw whenever she

e could hide the truth fro

ol. The right to open doors t

ught, it meant seei

e her. She was shorter than Lily, with tig

the western isles. You look like you're already qu

slightly. "I'm Li

"Good. Because s

aired girl from earlier, now l

she?" Li

itious." Amara lowered her voice. "She's rumored to have tra

l in a harsh way-everything sharp lines and narrowe

she's here to make fr

ara gave her a

angerous. But she'd still be careful. Ever

far end of the chamber creaked op

e, her silver crown tall and woven with serpents. She walked with th

ueen

's mo

n she spoke, her voice was like cold

aelorth's dragons. Each of you was chosen for beauty, b

ngering briefly on Lily, as if s

. You will be observed-tested. You will face the Trials of Virtue, Wit, and Will. You will

pa

th

se. The rest shall

side Lily. Calis

n who stepped forward, each holding a tray of

ur stay. Until you earn the ri

lled forward

rough silk-graceful, quiet. She bowed deeply

ent

er studied her

asked, though i

said calmly. "Ward of Councilma

t to the queen's head. "Yo

r thic

traightened. "

Mother said

place, heart racing

e not fo

not fo

was a game o

would not

ould

id, she would

burn down the ent