re Gu

obody moved. Then, Vance servants rushed forward, their faces tight with panic, and u

iding through the parted crowd with an

ing unwell all evening. The excitement was simply too much for her." She offered a smile that was both charmi

d. As she turned to leave, her cold eyes met mine over the heads of the dispersing guests. "Yo

estimated," I replied,

s. Gwendolyn was no fool like her cousin. Sh

nfrontations faded, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. The mental str

y. "Find me a place to

rs. My personal guard, Ryder Stone, followed us in, his presence a silent, solid wall at my back. He ha

the door

le. He didn't use my first name. This wa

It wasn't just about the archery. It was the way I'd spoken, the way I'd carried myself, the know

t me. I needed their absolute, unquestioning

d mask of command crumble. I allowed a flicker of v

r. "What I am about to tell you must never

oyalty was to my family, but his faith was to t

g... visions. A dream, so real it felt like I was awake." I looked down at my h

Fiona, standing by the d

lood that flows in my veins. She showed me... glimpses of the future." I squeezed my eyes shut. "Fire. Betrayal. Our

rs within me. The history, the languages... the skills." My gaze flicked to my hands. "When I picked up th

holy, unquestionable mantle of divine intervention. It explained my sudden abilities,

ay by a tide of pure, unadulterated awe

not understand. Forgive me. My life is yours to command.

his shoulder. "Stand up, Ryder. I n

had him. I had them both. Fiona was openly weeping wi

had already move

bitter rivalry between the two Vance cousins, both v

't a defeat for the Vance family

onolith. It had cracks. An

or you. I want you to watch Gwendolyn Vance. And Britta. I want to know everything. Who they talk to, wh

arp, his purpose clear. He was no longer just m

to do my bidding. A new piece was on the