sie

ence in the room was absolute, pressing against my ea

s own during his visits to the capital, it was, in truth,

lcanic rock. Massive, polished dragonbone ornaments hung above the fireplace, and the heavy bookshelves were cram

heavy wedding dress and turned down the bedsheets. Both

hem. I needed

dark red wine. The ceremonial wedding toast. One cup for me,

y nothing. This was a transaction. A ne

uch the wine. I just lay down on the bed, fully cl

est of the cavernous room. The mental strain of the past few days f

ead of night, the

tched. The gaze wasn't malicious or cold. It felt heav

erent. It was a sharp, wild scent-like cedar trees snapped by a blizzard, mixed with

nlight streaming through

ams of being watched and that intense, burning scent m

f bed and glanced cas

fr

stal cups were

rly remembered going to sleep w

cked up one of the cups. A single, dark red drop of wine clung

o enter this room without my explicit permission. Furthermore, no servant in this hou

d through my mind. Was there some

Ayden Richmond was dead. Aside from the loyal serva

haps a servant had broken the

istinct scent of cedar and molten gold, crept back i

way, "Madam, are you awake? The Duchess is in the front hall. Master Kile and Lady Journey from

ery of the empty cups to the back of my

ed the door for Helena and Brynn, l

heir prize go. The battle to finally sever m