en

grand ceremony, no guests, just a plain black carriag

den, dragon-guarded procession tha

my mother's things and a few changes of cloth

ressed in the formal dark robes of the Elder Council, his expres

aid, his tone impatient. "When you get to Blackwood Keep,

seem to forget. From the moment I step into this carriage, I will be Lady C

He hadn't expected

e carriage with Penny's help. I didn't look back

ar the buzz of conversation about the prince's weddin

I just closed mine and leaned against th

the "special" cream, eagerly aw

ehind. The roads grew rougher, the landscape more desolat

other's notes, my mind racing, combining her knowledge wit

in a small border town. And there, we f

en merchants wer

and wedding ended in a complet

ppened?

veil, her face was covered in a disgusting red rash! They

ted in gasps

s an Elder's daughter, sa

er mouth, her eyes wide wit

sip of my ale.

. The effect was even

e threw her out of the bridal chamber! Lady Deena is now under h

on the table and led

ce the door was closed, "was

ying. "Sometimes, Penny," I said softly, "t

of me

stain on her reputation-and my father's-would last a lifeti

I could focus on

ercast sky, the black silhouette of Blackwood Keep was becomi