't sleep

g, replaying everything. The rejection, the warnin

ng what

e in this room. Wasn't going to wait for someone to tell her w

the wardrobe someone had stocked. Dark pants, plain

s. Guards changed shifts. The smell of bread baking drifted fro

her hands looked up, "Miss?

y n

re a lady. Ladies don'

e wooden table. "I'm not really a lady. Jus

en. I'm Marta. Head cook." She set a plate of warm bread

y. The bread was good. The kitchen was warm. Mar

rary?" Lyra aske

loor. But nobody us

y n

to spend hours there. Before the accid

cident. Everyone mentioned

was exactly where Marta said it would be. Huge windows, rows

n his wheelchair nea

ed. His expression didn't c

rted scanning titles, history, battle strategy a

you to

t a book on Northern pack traditions. "If I'm stu

ck. I can arran

made it clear yesterday. The treaty matters. If

k slowly. "You care

sat in a chair across from him, "I also care a

slightly. "You'r

t to be able to walk the palace grounds without guards following me everywhere. And I want

. "Most women in your position woul

t most

e the library. Walk where you want. But stay away from

asking

s. Amusement maybe. Or respect

e. I didn't ask to be your substitute bride. But

he simply picked up his book again. "The training grounds are behind the ea

But also

od. "Tha

ust kept reading lik

ing the guards run drills. Afternoons in the library, reading everything she could about

e went, she felt

ws, in doorways, his wheelchair positioned where he had a clear view of wh

ered her. Instead,

in. She left her room and wandered the corri

stopp

ing from behind a

Knew it was wrong. But someth

ea's voice. "The council is getting

aid. "Let them

he throne that should be yours. Eve

it, I learn who's l

n, softer. "The girl. S

kno

Send her back before she

d. She

orce

e my uncle. I won't use people like pieces on

Coming towa

inst the wall. Thea emerged first, her face look

sound of whe

d in the doorway, he w

s sta

lk

r, smooth and powerfu

th stopped

rned slowly toward the alcove

ble moment, neith

went cold and dangerous.

s. Her heart pounded but she k

ing exactly, but making it clear she had no escape route. "You he

y. "He's the king. But you sai

ched. "This conv

ss while you..." What? Plan a coup? Wait for the right mo

't know

in. "And I know you can't send me a