own's

ore the morning sun fully crested the tall stained-glass windows. It was t

efore. I hadn't slept since the dream-or memory-whatever it had been. Elara's visit had shaken something loose insid

was

e of what I remembered had yet happen

ime. Refined. Polished. I didn't answer

e the smooth,

een robes pristine and her silvery hair coiled into the elegant twist she favor

ume-orange blossom and sage-wrapped around me like a spell. For a moment, I forgot

ng gracefully in the chair opposite m

n't hu

disapproval. "You must keep up ap

wned.

nd unreadable, studied me as if trying to so

ching into the folds of her robe and pulling out a sealed

was before she

rembled as

was smooth.

eal, and time fol

. The same breakfast I hadn't t

thing began t

," Liora said, her voice soft b

room

trange echo of poison again, as tho

numb fingers and read the wo

os

i

r of

ed like a

a pur

om my fingers and d

knew," I sa

dn't change. "Of cour

en it. Let me feel th

age," I whispered.

the niece of the High Matron. Your bloodline is pure. You hav

ped. "Was that par

like ice. "The King chose you, d

o my stomach. I felt them crash d

his moment differe

a had embraced me and told me I would grow

ner. Her voice carried more edge. O

love. It w

ou tell me so

from her sleeve. "Because you needed to believe it was yo

d adjusted her brooch, eye

it had already been decided. "Royal colors

alive,"

roze. Just

res

said calmly. "She's been

ut

the glass. "You've been speaking strangely since the eclipse. Dreams? Visio

uperstition. I remember. I

that follo

turned

nt-I thought I saw something

it wa

she said, brisk now. "And El

not

rwhelmed. Understandable. Royal

e King will call for you t

shut be

lapsed to

rage. From betrayal. From the hollow echo of having no one

ves were still d

e walls. Somewhere in the palace, bells rang, and footmen rushed t

ibers catch beneath my fingers. A mundane sensation. Real. Gr

k returned, i

ad

ar

ickly and rose to

ray with tea and warm bread. Her express

wn. I thought you m

aw, the tiny scar near her left brow where she'd once fallen from the stable loft. She was rea

a," I

used but gentle.

r hand. Held it.

ed. "I've been

f. "Never mind. I'm sorry.

l nod. "You're allowed those, yo

tched her move with the ease of someone who knew this room better than her

to marry him

owered herself bes

kno

'll hurt me

as," she fini

oked

said. "Not just since the King's letter. Before

answer. I

r hand, and for n

e had begun again. This ti

would not d

e-I woul