ffering. The line of carts stretched down the entire street, each one overflowing with treasures. There were chests of gold coins, bolts of the finest silk from the East, rare sp

ed in his formal military uniform, the dark wool adorned with medals that gleamed i

e said, with

is... very generous. You d

me, I saw a deep, burning emotion that he was trying desperately to hide. It was a look of intense longing, m

unhappy with our betrothal? Did he regret being tied

ealed decree. My new lady's maid, a young, bright-eyed girl named Lyra

. The wild clans of the Frostfang Mountains were growing restless, and the King was send

s restrained gaze-it was all a farewell. He was leaving, per

stood on the balcony overlooking the gardens, the

eavy with an emotion he no longer tried to hide. "T

he kingdom," I said s

the crown. I will return a man even more worthy of your hand." He reached out, as if to touch my face, but then

r me. It was a strange feeling, to be saddened by the departure of a man I barely knew. But I knew h

e still standing on the ba

concern. "Most ladies would be thrilled. The General is goi

oked at the earnest young maid and saw a reflection of

ry, Lyra," I explained. "Or for t

ou, my

lieves he needs to prove to me, and to the entire world, that he is not a consolation prize. He wants to be so grea

anding. "Oh," she breathed. "He

g with a strange mix of sorro

unwelcome visit. I was in the drawing room when the butler announce

linging to his arm like a delicate vine. Her eyes, however, were not delica

, without any preambl

yebrow. "You

thal was announced, she has been the subject of vicious gossip. They call her

ice neutral. "And how

t you hold no ill will towards her, that you bless our union. You were always friends

publicly humiliated me, and now he was demanding I

y voice dangerously soft. "Is that what we were, Seraphina? I seem to recall a friendship where one friend cove

her. Adrian' s face darkened with an