point

that only exists in a throne room

into his land," one farmer spat, jabbing a finger toward the man

dais, feigning patience. The two men bickered like pups ov

"He's lying," she said, her voice like smoke. "The fence moved.

e deception, but I let her have her

ickering and return home. My men will inspect the boundary lines by dawn. If eit

en slow, ne

a hand

s creaked open. A blast of cold air swept in, and with it cam

caravan ha

their eyes. Even in a kingdom of beasts, the sight of bound, trem

aked from the snow, "our offering from the southern pr

eling forms, dirt-streaked faces, lo

one lo

rief. A

was e

y like winter

ething

one, leaning forward bef

iced. Of cou

ting to the boy who'd da

He's quiet. Compliant. Good with his ha

him f

thin, lean beneath his too-big tunic. His head was bowed

omething of

fe

sw

ma

row

e, suddenly tense. "Ashen

hy

ttered. "A shadow around

nd me is dangero

l in my gut. My wolf stirred, sniffing the air,

ng

tanding. "Assign him

stantly. Even the guar

with me, her eyes flas

aid simply.

ought to my qu

y step cautious, like the floor might collapse beneath him. The servants' robes fit

las,"

one knee. "Y

stutter. But his hands we

said, circling him. "And

her, Your

ed at me

rious, sire.

Strange. Somethin

care

echoed, ste

, hiding his face, but I sa

Your M

ned down slightly. "You

linc

bar

I sa

rom the South

, s

e hiding s

es, s

Honest. U

nt of him again

se cursed eyes, met mine again. "I came

her

dn't cal

"Show him to the red quarters. He'll work in my wing under d

Your M

stepped from the shadows behi

laying wi

e the

don't like what

at do y

d something that doesn'

corridor where h

d softly, "somethin

vate chambers long after mi

oughts, something floral, almos

sa

y, watching the snow fall over the Northern city like ash

move

ite fabric, slipping through the east corridor where th

dn't ha

ng told me

ped through the shadows like a ghost. The halls were dim, lit

end

methin

corner an

e he

ne?" I asked and he stood up, str

s just watching them. R

asked and

ight my