inn

of black ironwood and bound with heavy bronze. Th

nd, their footsteps urgent at my ba

d it was barred from the inside with a beam that probably weighed m

Does she really think she can push it open?

over my shoulder. T

exed my fingers. If Gideon

tive stone statue beside the gate-a gargoyle, half as

walked toward the statue. I wrapped my arms ar

always known that I possessed an extraordinary strength. I had

low grunt

remendous crack, I tore the five-hun

d through the courtyard

ably so. It felt... right. As if thi

y shoulder like a battering r

r and loud. "I'm counting to three. Open

e from

hr

wo

ne

harged. I poured all my strength, a

OM

e ironwood groaned and splintered. Bronze bolts flew like shrapnel. I ha

yle, dusted off my hands, a

ter laugh. A small dog, wearing a tie, held by a ter

oom for today's ceremony. Th

innocent dog, and tore off the absurd tie.

panicked animal, "that the bride is

ing servants, the pale-faced Alfred, an

e gate, I raised my voice s

eat Dragon Lord Gideon Carlisl

silence, broken only by the rustl

ed from the shadows of the courty

was being pushed out from a dark archway. He wore black formal att

tingly handsome. His black hair was thick and luxuriant. And his eyes... his eyes were go

This was Gideon

verwhelming, but I met hi

shell?" I asked, my voice dripping with