later, they

w took her in the shoulder. She woke in a wooden cage, bouncing along

they dragged her through the streets, people spat at he

ed with skulls, some so small they could only have been children's. King Durojaiye sat sp

water. "The little viper who killed C

rced Adanna to the ground. The sto

g as he circled her. "But you're just a girl." His fingers tangled in her braids

irst. "Because dead, I'm just another corpse. Al

ed bitter on

d walls. "Clever girl." He snapped his finger

s the king himself pressed the royal seal against her left shoulder. The

ear. "This mark means you belong to me now. Try to run again..." He gestured to a c

Adanna memorized every turn, every gu

ng hadn't

forge