Mood

stared directly at Alton. The skin on my wr

my gesture. He expected

oice low but every word clear and sharp, "this 'wort

nt rebellion.

e didn't like the focus shiftin

allenge. He took a step closer, and the powerful aura of a

e said, "It seems three years of comfor

but fierce. "That's not fair! Lady Blanche is the one who uses her station to steal from others. She has n

Annie. "Do you hear this insolence? This lowly slave dares to lecture me about rank

u are right, Blanche. Such a mouth needs to be silenced." Then he turned his head, his voice

She began to tremble violently. Fifty l

ezed in a fist. I couldn't breathe.

my composure shattering

already there, their large hand

ith terror and filling with tears,

ing wrong!" I begged him, sh

s if he were enjoying the show. "Now you beg? You forced my

a smug smile on her face, sav

away, her eyes filled with despa

again, all the fight had gone out of

turned and shoved the bra

ly steady. "Here is the

"Put it on." She obeyed instantly, fastening the bracelet around her o

e, taunting gesture. The light from th

uards. They released Annie, shoving he

mbled to my feet, grabbing the he

s if all the strength had

d to Blanche. "See? That wasn't so hard. Let's go. No

turned to leave, as if the entire, brutal episode

tely bumped my shoulder. "Remember

g down the long hall, leaving me with n

not just my treasure, but the las

and for the first time, I felt an emoti

re, undil

Montgo

dy, the flames in the hearth had turned to ash. He knelt down

ing girl in her arms, he saw a flash of light in her eyes-there

he city wall, watching her release paper lanterns into the sky. Her laughter was clear, her face radiating carefree happiness. Our eyes met in an instant, and something within me shattered suddenly, something that never h

as completely destroyed. As long as her wounds

dows, observe, and wai

refuse. Not as a prince, not as a lord, but as the

r this. They all