The King's Shadow Escapes Her Bond

a P

way up my throat, bu

cotton of my nightgown clung to my skin. My heart hammere

came a se

. An old wound-a gift from a silver-laced dagger, years ago. It

, it wa

, the fury twisting Gideon's face. Damien's elder brother. A man who would stop a

clair. My

thinking. My body

always there, a constant remi

ker, shuffled in, her gray hair pulled back in a neat bun, carryi

ss Aria?" she asked, h

eadbare pillows. The movement sent another wave of fire

ed gently, setting the bowl on my beds

bitter, earthy. I took it without a word, the warmth

but the bitterness in my mouth was nothi

and. It was the only thing of value in this sparse room. A fi

r. "Fewer and fewer people come to visit since the King took the t

for whom I risked my life to pave the way. But once he's reached his goal

ar on my right wrist. Years of wearing

I said, my

to. A sliver of hope that once the political dust settled, o

ilver-white hair-a shade that marked me as different, a constant remind

t tonight," she said, her voice careful

embled, just

ni

t made me dizzy. Was this it? Was he finally going to

the emotion down. "I'll be

deafening. It pressed in on me, a physical we

the Obsidian Citadel rose like jagged teeth against the pale sky. The

sed to greet me with a respectful nod, a flicker of admiration in their

ift in the air, in the way people

mach t

box before I finally opened it. Inside, nestled on a bed of faded velvet, was a d

fingers clutching mine. "Protect him, Aria. Be his shadow, his b

ssinations, poisons, stealth, protection-wherever he

metal cool against my skin. It was my las

ers of two young maids. My hearing, honed by years of training,

dered the Luna's suite to

sabelle Vance is returning

me like a p

ily backed the King's ascensio

a? She took a b

eless wolfless now-can't even shift.

d as they moved

draining from my face un

el V

mian's childhood sweetheart. A female wo

nothin

crest, once a symbol of hope and duty, now felt lik

sting a warm, golden l

er felt so co