ia'

t slow as we

ed aside before he reached them, and no one questioned wher

ed open a set of carved doors and

and tall windows overlooking the inner courtyard. I lingered just inside the doorway,

urned to

the phy

he cou

can

bowed a

leeve. The fabric was creased where Celes

it

d standing across from me, his attention moving to

ollen skin. "It

ot for you

d answer, the

pack physician, his silver hair tied at the nape of his neck. A young fema

glanced at Kae

exami

u m

re he touched me. He examined the cut inside my lip, the swelling alon

dizzi

N

use

N

red v

ok my

st and counted my pulse, then to

s drew t

veral cuts along my knuckles had reopened, and old

e not fro

N

caused

or

ced at

face had gon

n the bruises along my forearms, his expr

d, pl

bey

ength of my pulse again. When he asked me to step onto the scale, I nearly r

d at the

ten do

ry d

not my q

red my

lse is weak, and she is likely anemic. This is not rec

m fell

e, his hand clo

he physician continued. "She needs regular meals, iron, rest, and superv

will wait,"

and began smoothing

d Kaelen

demanded that someone drag Vivienne before him. Y

ing warm and easy to digest. Send a

t hurried to

every remed

, Al

his eyes on

return to the

sician

t in Cresswood. Prepare the Shad

not asking me; the decisi

hed treating my che

rest before

y will proce

t Kaelen.

rned

med. The wedding will tak

part of me did. But beneath the fe

li

eleste's voice and Vivienne's orders. Whatever waited beyond

ed and departed w

of us spoke. Then I t

u disap

narrowed sligh

y

at once, and I for

who looks like this." My fingers curled against my

ave

er stung more

e cont

beautiful. I also know the differe

oked

hair, the borrowed dress, my br

orked, and left without care,"

oat ti

had been c

e sitting here asking

rtain that I cou

a dark blue dress waited outside, older than me, with

her without

thes, medicine, and food first. The ceremony

, Al

heek. No one touches her

oman

d Kaelen loo

at, and rest befo

nt less food, more work, or another locked door. T

stepped aside, leavi

ad simply decided I would. Yet for the first time in my li

ehind me, Kaelen began issuing orders about

back, but I d

chosen what wou

not yet understand, I