. At twelve winters, her hands were calloused from gathering herbs, her frame lean but stron

ed, plucking a sprig. The sun dipped low, ca

lder. "Your voice. It

al cords for years, but cracks seeped through-hints of a m

g sna

sharp. Thalassa pulled her hood low, mimicking Orion's slouchin

e*, Nymeria

bility was

-

dron of bitter-smelling liquid. Thalassa dump

look up. "Strip. The bi

h linen around her chest, flattening

s," she

rare crack in her stoicism. She dripped a new tonic

edin

cles. They'll

corice sting. "Why can't I just st

he kitchens." Nymeria's jaw tightened. "But you'll st

Alway

-

e curled on her pallet, sweating as cramps clawed her

"The tonic will dull it, bu

ip to stifle a whi

otions stop

kitchens, hauling water buckets under Varys' watchful eye

d. "You're p

ped, deepening her voic

st, sniffing. "You

rbs masked scent, but bloo

called from the gates. "

ssa aside. "Stay o

scrubbing her hands in t

-

Thalassa drank it obediently, ev

Nymeria said, "but you

d; her vision swam. Orion found her

ing you-it's killin

ping me *

ig into her hand-a stolen comf

-

r came

ng stew as he entered. His gaze scraped

wolf," h

pt her voice gravel

o meet his stare. Her heart thunde

ttered. "Still sil

, Alpha. It.

too curious. Then he recoiled, wiping hi

Thalassa's k

-

the bloodst

ellar door, blocking her path. "

, smirking. "Moonrot doe

throat. "Speak of it, and I'll lac

the rags into the fire. "But secrets ro

-

t the moon. "What happens whe

didn't

e was wors