Reborn to Refuse The Lord

capital with

l M

inate the Lord. Secure the future. Complete the mi

, I built the

ntelligen

ding beside the most pow

erns lined the marble courtyard. Musicians played a soft melody near the

er of it al

d of th

le in politics. Cold in ev

yes found me,

" he c

different in h

white gown brushed across the polished stone floo

ade rested against my wrist, cool and steady. One

ser. One pre

was

and stopped before me. Then, without hesi

out across t

ment, fireworks

across the sky. The sound thu

arrying clearly over the noi

activated

lnerabilit

etion rate inc

d immed

gers t

guards close enough to interfere. His heart was

ed, "and stand by my side as my w

ke I was the only

ier if he looked arrog

hing calculating

since

's alarm g

ional fluctuat

t complet

ger slide into my pa

move

. For a second, I imagined the blade sinking into him. The

n would b

ire wou

would

d

nd tr

from

mething

ub

ced a

es

t my lips cl

eers. Applause echoed. Mo

ipped back in

tem wen

ashing over his face in a w

s though I might disappea

is," he murmured q

n't a

't sure if tha

war

tulated us with rehearsed smiles. Political alliances sh

rk's wife m

lue

tec

meant pr

ss. More op

chance to

the courtyard emptied, Mark walked me through the inne

ning formal again, "there is

comes, I

ill remain within the palace grounds. No extended travel. No visits bey

lin

p do

ty requires a temporary union

at wa

rriage disgui

ulated

was still

I replied ligh

moment, as if sear

gave h

ight, three years would gi

tarted pas

the smel

eavy. Su

amber. The glow of flames f

the doors to my courtyar

Curtains burned like paper. T

ne screamed i

past, but no

m's voice

d variable

ival rate

art p

't part o

ow it was sup

t. Smoke filled my lun

s Mark'

scovered

se decided I was

became un

ees b

and collapsed in sparks and fire

is how

y my

someone

I saw was the s

ything we

eyes again, mus

ght

ent of

g in the marb

mmered. Nobl

as walking

ar

eath

ended t

mself onto

exploded

stand by my side as m

began t

s the p

ame n

ame m

gone

hing was

oked up

slid dow

tightened

ered, voice brea