pounding. Inside, she could hear her father and br

ck, only pushe

ss window that overlooked the city. Valerius sat calmly at the

the only free day she had in the week, and if not for

do this," s

r effort to stay calm. Mal

n has alread

e away," she said

ice laced with excitement. "You say that

ou're sending me to p

replied calmly. "People

s under her cloak. "I'm

ound slowly. "You

o calm. "You were born int

t the declaration. "

d her. "Do you think

cloak around her shoulders. Ev

nd public events

You cannot even walk through the pala

ropped. "That i

agreed. "It'

ke again. "You should be grateful," he said. "Mos

other. "You're sending me awa

change. "I'm sending you a

icked up the official document.

n, but she couldn't afford to c

tly. "They will take

ound of spoons clanging against plates filling the room. The long glass dining ta

r mother, Queen Isolde. Once, people had called

weak, and her hands rested lifelessly in her lap. Years

She barely spoke anymore, and tonight was

the

s that faded almost immediately. She said nothing, and Valeriu

him. "You're rea

strengthen our kingdom." Carys laughed bitterly.

it. "Power belongs t

tly from her shoulder. She quickly pulled it back, bu

rm and into her palm. Sometimes it pulsed faintly with violet

n't wear normal dresses. It was also the rea

violently could be dangerous. The mark drained magic from anyone who tri

elf. She pulled the cloak tighter as the thought of her being sold sank into her br

*

ck armored vehicles in the palace courtyard. The tall warrio

stood at the top of the steps with her cloak wrap

tely. "I've been sent to escort

ded. "You m

She didn't speak or react. Valerius simply watched, and Elara had b

ars. It felt strange, but nothing was weirder than her being sold to her enemie

ind death." She thought to herself,

in till the vehicles dro