a's

ered to myself as I blinked awake, s

But the gold curtains, the velvet sheets beneath me, and the heavy scent of polished wood said otherwise. This

ut, fighting the ache

I could answer, the door creaked open and

e for breakfast," one announced

ight, frowning. "Br

e have been sent

quickly, hugging the sheet clos

g around me, peeling off my n

clutching the fabri

. "Forgive us, but it is our duty to prep

me into the steaming bath. My protests were drowned by the splashing water, b

green silk. The bodice pinched my ribs, the skirts swished

aids said softly, then

s until the grand doors of the r

sat at the head

's sharp eyes swept over me, judgment oozing from his gaze.

. His expression was calm, his gaze lowered, his presence quiet.

Rowan

and lowered myself into it, my back s

Unwomanly," he said, eyes

ad, my voice cold. "You don'

shifted

st the table. "You will ob

own. "Commanded? I thought I was your

t followed was

, soft but firm. "Mira. Please.

ber of me wanted to defy them all, I shifted slightly in

did no

into a smirk. "Eat

We all know you didn't host a feast just t

ned his glare on Lucian. "I

been planning this together. T

ost clinical. "We wished onl

before I could stop it. "By sitting here, judging

y. "You were sold to us as a breeder. Do not for

s trembled, but I lifted my chin. "I

t let him answer. I pushed back from the table, t

You let them call me things I am not. You let them tear me apart wi

, but I didn't stay long enou

kirts tangling around my le

toward my chamber, a figure

s gleaming. "Mira," she said

pped, brushing p

, sharper now. "You'l

idn't t

against it, my chest heaving. Fury rolled throug

I thought bitterly.

t Father. It's about Mother. I'm here for he

er steadie

r when the knock came again. This time, maids

o prepare you again," one sa

for what?" I

r. Only

y scraps of fabric-dresses that were ten times too

dried. "Wh

e chamber doors opened, and the b

mien's cold watchfulness. And Luci

ed civility. You spat on it. Now

's rage. "At last, you'll serve t

s. "Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. Just because I spoke gently to y

turned my

wed, steady, final.