n Jord

ging in the air. It was a mad gamble. But I was a gambler

in my mind into some semblance of order. "I don't even know

s golden eyes were calm, unreadable. "Albio

w, untamed power that clung to him, so different

free me from the clutches of House Jorda

" I asked. That was t

"We will be husband and wife in name, to satisfy the world. In p

w nerves. My greatest fear was

e, I need your word. This marriage

tain. "You will have the freedom you desire. The co

ed in my mind, then Harper's betrayal, Hettie's triumphant

unknown, but staying pu

sed my hand and placed it

of heat flowed from his skin to mine, chasing away some of the bone-deep

t, Lord

ive grip. The corner of his mouth lifted in tha

he Dragon God Altar. We weren't heading for the main stage, but to a sm

of shock as he saw me-the abandoned

produced a heavy, dark metal signet ring, pressing it onto the elder'

e, undiluted awe. He scrambled to his feet, bowing his head so

ignet that it could command such reverence

nder the silent watch of the Dragon God statue. There were no guests, no b

on Ballard, a wave of dizziness washed over me. Hours

bion handed me a copy of the parchme

t, my new reality feelin

. Most of the nobles had dispersed,

ion said suddenly, his voice low. "I sugge

fectly. "I agree,"

ct director for the Sterling Guild's new development

know that?" My appointment was official only yesterday,

ow one of the board members." The words came too smoothly-

over for an even prettier truth. But I didn't press. Firs

could smell the cedar on his cuffs. Far enough that I had no idea who he really was. My