a P

ing it so severely from my scalp that the skin felt stretched. A st

looking back was a stranger's. A mask of disciplined empti

ut of the room witho

s the rest of the Citadel. Torches flickered in iron sconces, casting dancing shadows

cold stone was an echo

and unwanted,

laver's caravan. I was feral and suspicious of everyone, a cornered cat ready to scratch. He was the seco

t. I held out my hand, offering him a piece of stale black bread I had stolen from the kitc

l, gripping mine. "Aria, he seems strong, but his heart is

world had shrunk to a sing

movement. My hands became stained with the blood of his enemies, the obstacles

perate to eliminate his rival, had laid a trap. His men had

d been

ht wrist had ground against the bone until it was a m

... it changed him. The boy who cried in the garden was gone forever, replaced by a man with eyes

e the blade

were two halves of a whole. I was the darkness that allowed

onversation as I approached. Their eyes raked over m

rs followed

King's wo

ing not to hear. But my hands, hidden at my sides,

mies. The scorn of his allies. I thought it was a s

new the

ul, until it's not.

ded doors of the throne hall were closed, but I could

woman. A celebrati

cold metal of the door handle, I forced my fists to relax. I smoo

ould not ha

the words