n Jord

t. The place was dripping with gold leaf and polished mahogany, a level of opulence

lence between us thick and awkward. This

h. A single meal here cost more than my monthly rent. I

voice broke the silence. He seemed utte

in my chest. I felt a strange pang of secondhand embarrassment for him. He was

t consulting me, he proceeded to order several of the tavern's signa

e secret offerings known only to the highest echelons of the capital's nobility. How could a borde

ste it. My mind was consumed with a single, mortifying prob

e front desk, a sharp tapping sound came from the window. A courier

. Nothing good ever came fr

lled the parchment. It was his

l" conduct at the ceremony, f

he Carney estate and apologize to

ould see to it that my position at the Scribe's Guild

ment. I was the victim, yet I was being or

d suppressed all day finally

lence. Now he spoke, his voice da

ic family drama. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.

golden eyes scan

A palpable killing intent rolled off him in waves, so pure and potent it was a physi

f paper, but I felt as if he wer

the name, his voice

slighted nobleman. This was the cold, absolute wrath of a pre

rd" I had married was something far more

e. The murderous glint in his eyes was gone, replac

of my fear. I wiped at my ey

nging with a conviction that surprised even

er of something-approval, perhap

e lavish meal forgotten.