ine

of medicinal herbs pulled

Hayes was leaning over me, his brow furrowed in concentra

my throat raw. I tried to sit up, a move tha

, propping pillows behind my back. "Miss, you'v

t hesitation. A cold dread, sharp

. Hayes said, his voice stern but laced with

own weakness disgusted me, but the urgency was a

ear her. "The Duke... he went to the Royal Court. He said... he was go

to end it. Just like in the dream. The path to my father's deat

vers. The room spun viole

ulders, his grip firm. "Are yo

on in my voice was raw, anima

s shook as I fumbled with the doors, grabbing the first dress I could re

reaked with tears. "Miss, it's no use! I

eyes and bloodless lips. I took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing a sliver of

and steady, stripped of all weak

efore. It was the voice of an Alpha

, stunned into silence by the

y screaming in protest with every step. I walked, unsteady but

ed, their eyes wide with shock. They

into the capital's central territory, where the Royal Court resided. It was the only

ping a heavy woolen cloak over my shoulders. The chill

had obeyed. I leaned heavily on her as I climbed inside, collapsing on

asped to the driver.

olt was a fresh wave of agony, a sharp reminder of my body's frailty. My face grew

ame congested. The usual bustle of the capita

ched with grief. Men, women, and even children stood in silence, many of them clutch

ng?" I asked Rose,

e home," she explained, her own voice thick with

enuine love, that the common people had for the Boyle family. They were revered. My father's pla

viction. Breaking this all

om up ahead. The crowd surged forward,

urnful horn blast echoed through the streets. I

choked with tears. "They're back!