rin

, visibly forcing his anger down, and shifted his features into a ma

with practiced emotion. "But we have been married for three years.

us? He had built his reputation on my blood and sweat

bows on the table. He played his final, desperate card. He looked deeply into my e

we were. In fact... I am willing to finally consummate our marriage. We could have a child. A child wi

ing his body to a Dragonless woman. He actually thought that the promise of sleepi

ed my throat. I couldn't hol

terated mockery. "Jace, we have been married for three

ret of our marriage. For three years, under the guise of "waiting for the right astrological

ce pitching higher in defense. "I wanted our firs

ethal whisper. "Or were you just keeping yourself pure for your precious Elianna Rivers

d from his face, leaving him pale and wide-eyed. He never exp

re talking about!" he hissed, hi

who had been watching the exchange with narrowed, calculating eyes. "My lady, let's sto

ungrateful and stubborn," she said, pulling a thick stack of parchment from a

eavy parchment and scanned the text. The first few clauses were

clause made

the Davidson family, and for the severe reputational damage inflicted upon Lord Jace David

thousand G

rn that much in three lifetimes. They knew I was an "orphan" with

t was blatant extortion. It

to pay, they would drag me to the magistrates. To avoid debtor's prison, I would be forced to sign a lifetime

at's wrong, Corrin? Can't afford it? If you can't, then be a good girl, tear up your little agreement, and g

achment, fully supporting his mother's blackmail. He wante

now was that they were dealing with the Valedictorian of the Royal War Academy. My mind, my strategic

By demanding this money, they were offering me a fast-track out. One hundred thousand Gold Dragons

is own. When I pulled the rug out from under him, his territory's defenses would collapse, and the D

on the table. I looked ri

I said, my voice

rrectly. He slowly picked up a quill, dipped it in the in

age of the agreement and signed my name: Corrin Nolan.

he terms," I

ant smile vanished. She immediately snatched the parchment awa

confusion and sudden unease. She couldn't figure out where my confidence was

smoothed the wrinkles from my skirt. "Just make

lor, leaving them sitting in bewil

my face. I was carrying a crushing debt on paper, but

knowledge I had buried for years. I walked straight to the

a fiercely loyal knight. I told her I was finally free, and I need

capital remember exactl