ina Ha

n three years my feet did not carry the weight of that house. The morning air was cold, but I hardly fel

Celeste asked in a low voice, clutc

Rest," I said. The capital of Aeridor, and the s

aphi

, thin and breathless, and

keep pace. She was alone, and the first thing I noticed was how carefully she had put her face back together

. "Forgive me. I spoke out of turn. A mother's heart, you understand-when she sees her son's house in

I let her hold my hand, curious to s

d alone on the road-there are men in this kingdom who would do terrible things for far less than the little you carry. It is

word was a warning: you are weak, you a

nia," I said evenly, drawing my han

g before you go, from a woman who has lived longer than you and lost more than you can imagine. A wife who walks out of her husband's house is no

e, slipped in so softly

ars picking at me from the edges of rooms, an

"A woman who is already free does not

ash of the creature beneath the silk-and then

ng quiet. A black stallion came gal

was twisted with rage. He reined in hard, the horse sn

voice dropping back into that soft, stead

He brushed past her

ng around the edges as her son-her whole fami

o you think you're doing?" Etha

olly. "As you can

sound escaped him. "With just that? Where do you think you can go

. "Ethan, there is noth

ers to my grandmother, humiliated her and my mother, and now the whole es

the garden. Blanca had wanted the title of a wea

ed. "For the more noble Miss Collier to

ttering, his face deep

e. "Seraphina, I know you're angry. But you cannot be this selfish

old, short laugh. "An oath? Did you think of tha

was a boon from the king! An honor! You cannot j

belief that being Dragon-born placed him

hat both parties must remain faithful,"

ated. "I still acknowledge you as my wi

face and felt the last o

," I said flatly. "Good fo

hand and made t

Seraphina, don't push me. Do you think your little guild manager, Owen Foster, can

was my mother's old steward, the man who had helpe

cold. "Ethan, do you truly believe

him. He froze, a flicker of

eleste's arm and walked toward the distan

urning my words over, or perhaps what was left of his pride

r face-not anger now, but something nearer to dread, as if she had just wa

the road. Celeste's arm was tense und

hat man was a life I

s no longer that small estate,