ia

astle. The massive crystal chandelier cast

taircase. He had washed his face a

the heavy wooden doors, reli

opening his arms to

eezing outside,

d for my waist, my body r

ugh the base of my spine. A violent revu

backward, dodging

d-air. Confusion and hurt

hispered, hi

oice as cold as the ice outside. "You shoul

at me, his j

led out the rolled parchment cont

t it, then

d, his voice low. "I meant the Rite

ould have let the rejection hang unfinished and watched Elara face the consequences of her father's treason

e paled. He

he finally said, trying

head servant stan

s room is fully lit," Julian orde

pocritical care, he turne

doors clicked shut,

maid, who had just ru

ready?" I a

ere wide with shock. "But... are we truly lea

natural aura, the commanding

," I said firmly. "

instantly, rushing of

the courtyard was a fl

s who had sworn loyalty to my

t the heavy wooden carriag

rything that

chests filled w

ined gowns

pure silver weapons and goblets that

es stamped and snorted, their breath pluming like smoke in the frigid air. The silence was broken only by the

was tied down, the cas

apped tightly in a thick wool cloak. Her eyes swept over the caravan, and for a moment,

stop, his eyes widening as he

his boots crunch

?" Julian demanded, his voic

tone steps, look

off my finger. It was the Luna ring, t

ssed

tering against the stone steps with a sound that seemed unnaturally

y voice steady and loud enough for everyone to

ring in the snow, h

te, Julian," I said coldly,

slid off her horse, a flicker of m

ry in front of the gathered witnesses. But my bod