ins of living crystal. As Kael guided Elara toward its gate, she felt the shift in

r lit by floating orbs and golden flames that danced without heat. Thirteen th

ar. An older man with dark robes and storm grey eyes rose from

stomach

ke a crown, leaned forward. "You bear the mark. B

ing forward. "I do. I was witness to her

rred among

ces were curious. Others, hostile. A

, "as if memory erases treason. Her blood c

future," K

amber

apping his staff against the floo

lara. "You don't

o," she w

From it rose a pedestal, upon which a single dag

eclared. "If she lies, the stone will reject her. If she

embled, but she picked up the dagg

e blade acr

coed onto

siz

amber

olded in lig

isi

_____________

er side. The palace was burning behind them. Elders with raised swords. A voice- Seris's rin

dar

le

d. The visi

clattered t

and still bleeding. "D

le

ilver hair stood. He

You are the heir of a broken house, Elara. You may stay. But you are not y

ped to El

ale and shaking, st

t," she said. "To

n't just her mo

orm waiting to