phin

ust be my chances of bearing an heir that

wisted the heavy rings on her fingers. "You

hess Eleanor and Lord Gideon is a blessing this lowly servant could only d

sneer on Lady Helena's face softened

y clumsy handwriting might defile the parchment. If it pleases you, My Lady, I woul

hat Duchess Eleanor Carlisle, wanting to soothe Lady Helena's frag

t streaming through the stained gla

ing she could watch me bleed to bind the verses s

Ruby Hicks, to lay out the parchment and writ

here," she

of her dragon bloodline, a Dragonless servant like me was nothing more than an

ought my index finger to my mouth and bit down hard. A sharp,

t into the fresh crimson welling from my skin, a

of alchemical thinning draught to be mixed with the blood

ve to chew all ten of my fingers to the bone before

elished Ruby's petty cruelty. In her eyes, breaking a lowborn girl with fear was the only way to

Left with no choice, I moved to my second finger and bit down violently. The pai

ng my voice tremble just enough. "My Lady... the blood dries to

ndure even this tiny hardship? It only proves your d

ike a rain-battered flower. Her eyes flashed with such unfiltered jealousy t

nd of heavy, rhythmic footste

at this hour. But a second later, she seamlessly s

visit her chambers outside the mandatory dates of the lunar cycle was a rare triumph. Her voi

look at the head matron, signaling her to prepare lunch imm

t in the room, bringing with him a heavy aura of frost and worn leather. He bypassed Helena's outstret

p of hot spiced tea. But in her haste, her hands shook, and she

rabbed her by the collar and dragged her out of the room. Even throu

ield-didn't spare the commotion a single glance. His pierci

rtips dripping red onto the parchment. I knew it was a stark,

e state, I watched his dark brows draw

he meaning