ra tried to bury herself in work hauling water, tending to Bram's illness, and he

the same question burning

across Duskmere's crooked rooftops, she

alway

boots. But no disguise could hide the sharp grace in his posture, the noble weight in his gaze. He moved li

, hearts thudding too loudly in their chests. Other times, they shared fragment

ng, watching the fireflies flit through the branches above.

curl from her cheek. "Now I think i

ht. "You speak as i

smile. "I

ed their eyes away as

, and silent watchers. A missive lay open before her another report from Lord Wexley. Her son

aid coldly, folding the parchment. "

ty have us do?" Lord W

sappear from his path," she replied,

mere, the ai

heir eyes sharper, their posture more rigid. The villagers once indifferent t

o pull away, speaking

Liora said one night as th

that has no end but pain," Maeve said.

ed. "He's ju

thing happens to you,

ouds, and the grove felt colder. But Alaric

on as she stepped into the clearin

ve. "Then le

n't und

weight of expectation, duty, and sil

thing fierce inside he

avering. "We make them see. I'll speak

o to her, she'll take everything from you. Your title.

ady has,"

ight, they kissed again this time not as strangers discove

far away, a de

hattered the quiet

er doorstep. Behind them stood Lord Wexley, immacula

id. "By decree of the crow

, unblinki

ng. And for yo

m wh

dn't

hand, panic rising

neeling. "Stay with

only home she'd ever known, past neighbors who stared w

d ever be th