nna

ongswords with a metallic rasp, steppi

slowly turned my

ook every inch the vengeful gh

oned warriors broke into cold sweat. Their knuckles turned white, and their sword tips wavered, si

took a slow step forward, looking past the guar

as ash, stammering through blue lips, "Y-You... what debt

-chilling sneer car

altar, looking at her shivering silhouet

ow with a cold scoff and stepped over the inner al

s her bruised face, quickly replaced by a fierce flame of vengeance. She threw her weight against t

blood guests and the Beaumont alchemical envoys were

ing battlements, where an ancient gnarled oak stood in the center like a silent sentinel. Ignoring the cold autumn gale sweeping through the open sky abov

sleeve and whispering in panic, "Madam, you must pro

icker of disdain in her eyes. "Why? Was there

aking. "Kristal and Beatrice saw it with their own

ward. Putting on the air of the lady of the castle, she spoke in a gentle, chiding tone. "Elianna,

At the same time, Vivian tried to ease her tr

hing more than a lowborn vassal concubine. In the presence of the leg

he stone stool. The blood rushed to her face, turning it

looked utterly stunned that the formerly half-witted, Dragonless punching bag

longer an idiot?" I pointed a bloody finger at the co

! How can she treat me like this? I may be a concubine

er off. "Once I finish reckoning the blood debt of who push

ed her lips and said softly, "Sister Vivian, ju

nt white, Vivian retreated

the table-the cheap, Dragonless metal cold beneat

uglas, not even my scattered b

ds seemed to halt in his presence. Features carved sharp as a razor, eyes like unyielding night. Meeting that enigmatic miracle healer at the edge of the abyss hadn't just sal

you should ask how I ended up

nnocence, though the glint in her eyes showed she

you, or what my two dear sisters said

quietly through the narrow side portal, heading for the outer postern gate to signal my moth

anding rigidly by the stone pillar. "Go. Drag T

al authority. Seeing his hesitation, Vivian let out a quiet, spiteful snort from

ard. If those two are not kneeling before this table by the time this tea cools, you wil

ard, and scrambled toward the inner court

e pinned Vivian where she stood. "Vivian. Get

e, not your kitchen slave!" Vivi

ne is a domestic servant by feudal law," I murmured, my voice dropping to a lethal,

ower lip until dark blood welled, she dragged her feet forward, picked up the steaming

, languid sip, establishing absolute

A

ing from the inner corridors shuddered violently under a massive im

AC

h doors were kicked wide open, bouncin

rring the hall doors to play ty

But he hadn't returned alone to grovel-behind him marched a dozen hulking manor enforcers clutching i

ray echoed off the stone vault as the guards fanned out, surrounding my table