forcefull

around her wrists as she stumbled to her feet. Her skin ached from the cold air that filled the r

n. The torchlight s

" one of t

the brightness. "Why? W

speak

o ache. The metal cuffs still pressed against her wrists, causing a stinging ache. T

ver-blue flames lined the walls. This time, they were heading up, not down. Higher

weak. Her thoughts were much worse-twisted with memories sh

s. Strange symbols were carved into them-shape

spoke fr

g her

oors

ed was unlike from a

gleamed like a mirror. From the walls hung long banners in black and silver.

t the other e

d in her

and a warrior, and his figure was slender and powerful. Fine silver thread ran down the edges of his

Cold and sharp. Like

topped

t another soldier.

l-the ruler's son.

s already disappointed. Like

w, firm voice. "Everyone i

said n

r, his boots sil

"You killed three monks. You ran from t

an to," Rayn

pped beh

d icily. "What happened is n

avy and sharp like knives. She

of us," he said. "Too much hu

d her hands

quest this,"

"But the moon doesn't ask wha

eyes scanning her like she was a

urned without training. You had no

t hurt a

re dead. That

like she'd

like something inside me broke. My body, my min

ression di

real," he said. "But that

n closer. His

in a dungeon for the rest of your

ghtly, trying to stay str

p curled

n some old prophecy. And your

phecy?" s

n't re

ig table piled high with scrolls and maps.

ll be watched. You will be tested. And if you turn again without contro

at him. Her j

m. To cry. But she

gave one

toward the guard

t speak as they

ntered was narrow, with tall windows that showed a view of cliffs covered in snow. The wind outsi

errified she was, Rayne kept her hands close to

had looked at her like she wasn't even human. Not a p

ped in front of a

ocked it and

e," he

step

ts. A stone bench sat beneath a tall window, which showed only snow and sky. The walls were clean

cage pretending

door behind her, a

ly moved to the bench, took a seat, and

hest

. It felt like a weight pressing down on her lungs. She couldn't brea

fi

scre

ning mo

s around

rince Kael, full o

s too

to escape something. Then pain had taken over. Her body had changed. Her mind

Ara

wolves'

ry, but her throat b

w. The glittering light turned to a drab gray, as the wind increased in volume. S

ho

nd st

lf's

, it made her shiver, and what fright

ep inside he

ith a

with a

Like something buried in

d of what she

what she a

s her l