ste

ing against gravel echoed from outside. Through the open doors, I watched a shabby carria

t threadbare gray linen robe, with his signature gold-rimmed monocle perched

hit me-a foul mixture of cheap ink and rotting wood. My sto

ng my nails into my palms to suppress the urge to vomit. Taking

to the center of the hall, and bowed d

sit. I have come today to honor the ma

ast me in the dim corner and locked onto Car

acock. She raised her hand to flash the ice-blue wolf pelt

must be exhausted

his glass monocle, a greedy glint flashed in

rned to Elder Arthur with

n Lady Carlie's wrist? If my memory serves

mmed his walking stick down, opening his

hadows. Keeping my eyes downcast, I spoke in a breathy,

ling lately. A weak vessel like me is

irst time. Taking in my bloodless lips and plain gray d

being who can never shift or use the mind-link. Darrin was a crippled wolfless who hid his impotence and lack of a wolf behind books,

bow, pressing her chest against his sleeve as she whispered

me, I will tell the Royal Court that you boug

work he had put in over the years would be wasted. Turning his hand, he g

sk of deep devotion and dropped

oddess has guided my token into Lady Carlie's hands, I beg

ng the walls exchanged shocked glances, stunned that this c

th her handkerchief, knocking her for

will of the Moon Goddess

face. He pointed a trembling fi

game! Do you think you can swap brides at will an

e stepped in front of Darrin,

be the Chief Royal Scholar! My marrying

who had ruined my past life cling to each other l

owed deeply to the Elder, m

has a bright path ahead of him, and I cannot bear to ho

h pity and guilt. He let out a long, defeated sigh, slumping back

dust from his robe, and gave

shall remember

and immediately looked away, unwilling t

s hen, shooting me a triumphant glare as tho

r of approaching hooves echoed from outside the gates. An overwhelming aura of high-ranking we

wolf present held their breath under the suf

ld, scrambling on hands and knees

crest of the Montgomery Duchy

blood drained from Carlie's face. She lunged sideways