a Vanc

ng over the mountain peaks when I fini

personal drafting tools, and the private coin pouch containing my independent savings. Everything else-the jewels K

the corridor with a basket of fresh linens. The elderly woman stopped

into a hasty curtsy. "You are up exceptional

ded her the plain manila envelope. "Please deliver this dire

er in her wrinkled hands. "Of course, Your Ma

engineering research expedition. My return is indefinit

the Queen spent her time tinkering with mundane contraptions to escape the iso

you,

ry. A sharp pang pulled at my ribs, but I forced my feet to move. Turning to

hrough the iron pedestrian gate, I reached the lower city's transit square and boarded

of mana, the towering spires of the Drakos fortress

Drako

-blood clans were probing the northern border again, testing the garrison's resolve.

unded at the he

ithout looking up from

and a stack of morning dispatches. "Your Majesty, tea for your morning council. And t

uill continuing to scratc

research excursion, Sire," Hayes replied, set

tood. L

lower city to nurse her bruised ego after last night. It was her usual pattern-silent withdrawal, quiet brooding

at my right hand. The ruby facets glowed with a warm

Lyra's melodic voice dri

rmal audience regarding the autumn harvest blessing. They specifically ask

re relentless about bloodline purity. Having Lyra present at th

transmitted back into the cryst

e tactical boundary markers, my sleeve ca

heavy bronze paperweight, and tumbled into the overflow

ld contain nothing more than domestic complaints, requests for increased household allowances, or

muttered to the empty room, returning my fu

e. Seeing the plain envelope buried among the routine administrativ

uments, carried them to the massive archive cabinet against the wall, slid them in

reign over my marriage was sealed awa