ons came

e window made her jump. The note lay under her pillow. "He did not reject you by choice."

he king wishes to see you in h

od went co

. I'm to e

no refus

e. These halls were richer, tapestries woven with gold thread and marble floors

or carved with wolves mid

ric's voice was s

tepped

and scrolls. A massive desk covered in papers and maps. And behind it, the king himself

promptly." He gestured to a chair

olded in her lap to k

as hardly the place for a proper conversation." He poured two glasses of wine f

ss across the d

Not after the bitter

mmodity in palaces, isn't it?" He took a sip from his own glass. "I'll

tre

agreement no one remembered until your family dragged it

aid no

broke more than his body. His spirit, his will to lead. He can barely manage his own affairs, let alone a wife." H

Rowan walk. Had seen the strength

age to his burdens will break him completely. Especially

jected by her own m

en. This union benefits no one, It embarrasses my nephew, It puts you in an u

you asking

iss Hale. A temporary complication. You will keep to your rooms, you will not interfere with palace business, you will

The threat w

turning, "your stay here will be comfortable. Pleasant eve

into her palms. "

ving you a choice. I'm explaining reality. The North is not like your soft

stairs become slippery and fires start in locked rooms." His hand rested on the back of her chair. "It woul

r to run. But she forced herself to stay s

tand, You

w you were a smart girl. Clara will show you back to your

mis

ked to the door. Her hand was on t

'd forget about it if I were you. People who ask too

d turned

e reported it to him. Someone was watching

being

ded once

led Lyra back through the corridors without speaking. When

y like staying too l

open her doo

ing wa

ade, curtains drawn. But the ai

every sense alert. Her wo

eemed out

she s

The inside

sh splinters. The marks went from

w m

ir claws down her door while she was

et to yo

the marks. They were deep and d

words. Accidents happen. F

eaty. Wasn't about her b

his uncle were playing. And she'd stumbled into

r under the handle again. Then she sat o

been unwanted, rejec

he was

idea who wanted