ena

I could hear the blo

shy tip of my index finger. A single, perfect drop o

as fixed on that tiny,

thick and heavy.

it b

od. A wisp of inky color, like a drop of dye in clear water. It spread,

of was

ough the hall. "By the Moon Godde

e it was swallowed by a dark, dangerous fury. Beside him, Jaylin's legs

victor's standard. My voice was quiet, but it carried

, fell upon Arlin. "Heir Appare

rage in his eyes was unmistakable. I was no longer a disgraced fiancée begging

, my attention sweeping across the crowd until

y voice like the crack of a wh

s, banging her head on the marble floo

at Arlin. "Arlin. I command you to seize this treache

he command of a woman wh

ge any shred of his authority, Arlin wav

g, to the center of the hall. Her terri

away, her face

own, my torn dress pooling around me. "Who ordered you

obbed, shaki

e she refuses to speak, she is useless. Take her outside an

he most brutal punishment, res

s not the spoiled, frivolous Celena they thought they knew.

took. Polly's re

ing directly at my stepsister. "LADY JAYLIN!

he room swivele

e cracking with hysteria. "You wretc

back on their pathetic squabbli

"As per our wager, I, Celena McLaughlin, do hereby formally annul

ashen face, I turned to the gu

weakness in my legs, I walked. I walked throug