wn the steps of the platfo

back. Guards bowed their heads. The only sound in the

nside it was fading, but the warmth in her chest was growing stronger with ev

hree paces a

nd they moved over her plain cream dress, her mended sleeves, and her red, raw han

voice came out as a whisp

ot sp

ut they cut like a knif

en he spoke, his voice rang out acr

is girl as my mate. I have hea

e crowd. Sera's heart b

ll not ac

tyard we

ay beneath her feet. No, she thought. He

ll. My queen must be strong. She must have a wolf, a bloodline, and the respect of this kingdom." He paused. "

sped. Someone else laug

e whispered. "The Goddess chose

looked like pain, or perhaps doubt. His hand twitch

behind him, King Ala

cker va

he prince said, in a voice as cold as winter,

truck her l

rm thread that had just begun to glow was ripped apart, and the pain that followed was unlike anything she had ever

way, and she fe

h her tears. She heard voice

. What did

o the prince? The Goddes

the prince

y was shaking. Do not cry, she told herself. Do not cry in front of th

w a pair of blue silk sh

, she saw a face that was pale and tense. Lyra's lips were pressed tightly together, and h

t last, in a careful voice.

said, without

slow breath. "Then I

bles clapped, politely at first and then more loudly. The sou

, listening to the peopl

touched he

nding beside her. The old seer's clouded eyes were

ild," Moria

d her voice broke. "It h

closer. "But you must stand.

nd painfully, she pushed herself up. Her legs shook,

med to come from very far away. Sera lifted her

re clenched at his sides, and his shoulders were rigid, as if he were h

ess hurt, she migh

sked. Her voice was hoarse, but it

tightened. He

our rejection,"

om somewhere deep inside her, quiet and steady. The moment

s narrowed. For the first time tha

struck. A low, pained sound escaped him

h the crowd with her head held high and her tears running freely dow

e edge of the courty

een torn away. At first it felt like a spark. Then it felt like a coal. Then, with ever

ing. She looked d

ight was glowing