ra's

ream. It was the most profound, peaceful night of rest I had experienced

ood last night felt like it belonged to another lifetime. That tear was the final, pathetic offering to a dead love. The naive, heartbroken gi

s: paying my respects to my mother-in-law, Eleanor. It was a mandatory

sh my hair. Her reflection in the mirr

her hands trembling slightly. "Perhaps you should

dlines and family honor above all else, had despised me from the moment I crossed the

and devoid of its usual timidness. "I must g

intricate pattern of a Dragon's Flame. It was a gift from the royal family upon my marriage, a glaring,

open doors. It belonged to Mrs. Sharpe, Eleanor's senior maid. She was a Dragonless old woma

f younger servants who were polishing a massive dragon-bone fossil. She saw me

accharine, mocking tone. "Look what the cat dr

hind her stifled their giggle

me. I walked directly across the room, my heels clicking shar

hrough the room's ambient noise like a bl

t was more of an insult than a greeting. "My lady. The Dowager Duchess is st

was under the impression the Dowager Duchess tends to her dragon's

ected me to call her bluff. Her momentary su

o me. "After thirty years of loyal service in this house, do you think

d lash

ac

onnecting with her cheek echoed like a

m their hands, their mouths agape in sheer terror. Mrs. Sharpe stumbled back

hand, my expression

stocratic authority. "No. You have forgotten yours. I am Aurora Foley, the duly we

er. "Who gave a Dragonless slave like you the audaci

e openly disrespecting a superior of the ruling class was a capital offense. The reality of what

ants. My voice was gentle again, but it held an unmistakable, razor-sha

edly swept ov

upor, practically throwing themselve

rom the inner archway. "What is the meani

rted by two personal maids. Her hawk-like eyes immediately took in Mrs

her voice devoid of any

tically. "Dowager Duchess, you must help me! Her

ht. The intimidating aura that used to make

aid, my tone perfectly even and respectful. "I was merely co

ult the Duchess of this estate. I had to step in. After all, we cannot allow the impeccable