library, but no book had prepared her for the sight. Black terraces climbed the rim of an ancient volcano,

en nose, a sandy beard, and the easy manner of a man who had spent years on the

hether it is beautiful o

never seen mu

dles. Her maid, Lysa, sat across from her with a bundle of letters on her lap, pretending not to listen. Elara had brought forty books, three trunks of cl

xcept the Dravenhart crest stitched over his heart. Kael Dravenhart did not dismount when

s Elara,

he footman could reach her. "Your city lo

toward the carriage. "The upper terraces are too stee

I will

is expression, too bri

wo languages. Elara knew its terms by heart. Nythros raiders had burned three Caldris villages in spring, and the mountain passes were the only safe road between the northern

gain. Her mother had called it

first terrace. He walked as though the stones belon

ris gives the passes. Ashkara gives p

gives," Elara said. "It is less clear ab

he prot

he glanced at him. "Which is it, You

ind, found something f

ould answer her in anger. Instead, he studied her with

esy for trust, Prince

"I read terms carefully. My mother taught me

whether that was victory or retreat.

over the terraces and out toward the grey hills, where the land faded into a pale, unnatural colour

r: slowly, greeting everyone, remembering every name. She did not want to be a decoration. She wanted to be a partner, and she intended to make the Ashkaran lords understand that before the week was out. Caldri

s true that the Caldris princess had been taught to read ancient law, and Elara answe

r windows with his mother's cold presence b

r lords, with silver hair and grey eyes that seemed amused by everything. He w

s," he said warmly. "I am Severin Vane. I have served four Draven

pleased,"

tience, Princess. I hope you will forgive its rough edges. The bell-wards

hat. Its warmth was too smooth, like polished glass. Beneath her sleeve, the old silver mark o

he spot with

d her mother'

all evening, quiet and elegant, her silver hair pinned high. Now her face had gone white. Her gaze was

h pale hair and a face she did not recognise. He stopped at the t

closed around Elara's arm. T

the

at him," Isol

nd Isolde across the crowd and held there. Slowly,

eyes flared silver, just for a heartbeat,

softly, "that man is n

ned aroun