d the rise and fall of my chest, looking for the shake of

I kept my breath slo

cloak swept behind him as he vanish

ed through the corridor, and somewhere far off, a door b

the entire vam

gh. Now I would be dragged in front of a whole court of bl

My back ached, my feet ached, and every part of me wanted to lie down on the cold floor and never

Twenty-four.

ral hall of the royal wing, and a

ss

s arms crossed, as if he had been waiting for m

The little discarded wolf, carrying her bucket like a good servant.

th them, I heard something worse. He

to do, Your Majesty." I kept my voi

dn't

e backward until my spine slammed into the stone wall. The cold of it s

I would not gasp. I w

lattered acr

e wall. I could smell cold stone on him, and something faint

went ve

came closer, slowly, and hi

chest, the wolf I could no longer reach gave one faint, str

is he

ould not look away. It had to be fear, I told m

oing to

only in the dark, and only when no one could see. For one stu

The space between

d, a breath aw

let out a short, dry laugh, and I

I would kiss so

of venom. His gaze slid do

way by her own kind. You are

s hit li

and my eyes sting. I knew what he wanted. He wanted me to fe

d them in a crowded hall, from a man I onc

d stepped back, wearing a cold

e iron collar pressed against my throat. M

d no

t lower

andon to tell her why. That girl was gone. She had di

nd looked Cassian

here wiped the sm

Your Majesty," I said softly. My voice

l rolled up from his chest, and his fa

enough,

came fro

dark cloak trailing behind him. I had not heard him come. His face gave

d before the evening council," he said

move. His glar

Cass

last murderous look, turned on his heel, and stalked do

to the wall and locked my knees until the shaking passed. The place

o pick up my bucket. My fingers shook.

the stairs, one

to enjoy it. He had taunted me only hours ago, and I was sure he w

id no

lanced up, he was not smiling. He was watching me the way a

ran down

thought he had found. But as I carried my bucket do

I arrived at the citadel, I w