ce was nothing li

its towers reaching toward gray clouds. Snow covered everything, but the palace itself felt alive. Warm lights g

te the fur blanket someone had thrown over her lap three hours ago. The journey north

ken p

ed mar

e she did

an with braided white hair stood the

es

guard." She didn't offer her hand. Just stepped b

o pleasantrie

fol

wolves in moonlight and wolves running free. Servants hurried past without loo

ea said without turning aro

ust arrived.

to see you. That's

guards stood on either side, both watching Lyra lik

ng and throwing dancing shadows across the floor. Bookshelves lined another wall, packed with lea

all, near the fire, sa

Rowan N

th stopped

her was... beautiful in a harsh, brutal way. Dark hair fell past his shoulders, his face was

dark pants. His hands rested on the arm

at her like she w

was low and rough, like

said. "Lyra Hale. The subst

ord hung in the a

ed clothes, her messy braid and her pale face. She lifte

witched. Al

e look

smissing her the s

back," R

sudden sho

d into the fire like she'd already disappeared. "Put he

tably. "Your Highness

ee to this marriage. I won't be paraded around like some prize to be claimed.

knew. Everyone probably knew. Her humil

or this either,"

ntelligent and seeing too much. "Then we agree. You don't

binds both kingdoms. If you reject her, the Sou

them

Highne

eelchair arms. Just enough for Lyra to noti

n escape. A way out of this nightmare. But instead

rds came out before she could stop them. "You thi

e her a s

ething in her had broken in that Royal Matching Hall thre

hout blinking. My stepsister gets to live her perfect life while I get shipped north to marry a st

" Thea

ression hadn't changed. Still cold

want to send me back? Fine. But at least have the decency to reject me to my

moment, n

is wheelchair forward slightly. The wheels made no sound on the stone floor. "But spirit won't keep you safe here. Th

faint scars on his hands. Close enough to feel the heat radiating from

e," Rowan said quietly and da

the far side of the room. Thea moved to follow him, but he

g from cold or anger or

me. I'll show yo

t wing. Thea stopped outside a heavy door, then

a low tone "The prince you jus

d. "What do

one knows. But I've served him for five years, and I've seen things." Her eyes were serious. "W

efore Lyra could

room and stepped inside. It was

elt like