of crooked timber homes, painting flickering ghosts on the walls. The air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth, mingled with the smok

or loomed ahead a grim fortress of stone and iron that cut into the darkening sky. It was more than a seat of power; i

ma

the man who

omething else entirely a ruler hardened by ambition, clo

na V

nd hair that shimmered like black silk, she looked carved from shadows and secrets. Emerald eyes glinted with cold triumph as she lingere

eeled herself. Her heart beat like a war drum in her ears. She stepped forwa

at the sound

lri

and calculating. Whatever warmth they'

flatly. "What ar

but she forced the

hrough the air like poison

she sneered, "I don'

she could speak, Malrik stepped fo

my side," he said, his voice cold enough to freeze b

caught in her throat as Malrik turned away from her dismis

his voice ringing

ger, more worthy woman. One who will rule with me

the very picture of triumph. She looped her arm a

ers erupte

aw Avely

o her palms to keep from falling apart. The crowd saw only the spectacle

hing sacred inside her. It was as if a part of her

ey rej

t standing

ok

got

-

field. Avelyn walked through it, her shoulders stiff despite the

omeone muttered.

" another hissed. "She was nev

heir elders with mocking laugh

aces. Once-warm smiles were now replaced by

head high, her

turn their backs. They h

hidden beneat

rm waiting

-

ght, sh

or Ma

the vi

ong. For every time she silenced her voice. For the power she had k

ong her arms marks of quiet battles n

ow something

e within her. A

re surged through her veins, licking at her skin with h

nds to her chest a

done bei

being

-

ees whispered secrets to those who dared listen. There, she trained. She bled.

threw into the w

awn from the e

longer Avel

ing something

t would not be as a girl

d be as

ld ever dare t

-