ng was

harp, too fragile. The air smelled of rot and incense, a combination that made my stomach turn. Two physicians stood in the shadows behind him, their faces pale

lickered in those dying eyes. S

meant to be guiding, possessive, a reminder to the court that I belonged to him. But I fe

nd gold. Nobles filled the galleries, their whispers drifting down like falling leaves. I could feel their

and refused to lo

wed, a shallow, almost insolent gesture. I did not bow. I would not bow

ce, when he finally spoke, was thin and reedy,

who killed the Duke o

illed the man who murdered my sister. Th

he King's eyebrows rose, two gray caterpillars craw

und, wet and rattlin

always did prefer his women broken and silent.

on the arms of his throne, the way his breath caught in his chest. The physicia

th. Not the truth that Alaric has fed me for five years. Not the

t his hand pressed more firmly against my back.

and killed and enslaved. I cannot deny that. But I was never part of his crimes.

yet you lived in his castle. You wor

I was not allowed to leave. I was not allowed to write letters. I was not allowed t

narrowed. "Pun

ly turned and pulled u

m went

ks that had healed badly, leaving knots of puckered flesh. And carved into my shoulder blade, a si

I

erson retch. I did not turn around. I kept my eyes fix

red my dress, the K

ered. "He said you tried to poison him. He s

e he was holding my sister dow

o the silence like

he physicians shifted uneasily. The nobles held their breath. Ev

here was something new in them. Some

d in that time, I have let Alaric whisper poison in my ear. I have signed ord

and his gaze was

been done to you. But I

drew a sealed scroll. With a shaki

n. It restores your title and your inheritance. And it names you, Da

orld

ard the nobles erupt into chaos. I heard my o

ed. "I do not want anything that belon

into the crown lands eight years ago. But your mother's kingdom, the one she brought to her

mot

the castle and taken her before the physicians could do anything. I remembered her smi

hought of h

ll kingdom, but a rich one. Its people have suffered under regents and g

mall, that piece of parchment. So light. And ye

o leader. I am no queen. I

Dorian

eyes were fierce, burning wit

s daughter. You are the woman who survived five years of torture at Alaric's hands. Y

his voice dropped so lo

hed for across fifteen years. A

d, the doors of the t

He ran toward the dais, ignoring the guards who mov

s an army approaching the capital.

. The nobles screamed. Th

not hear

ad not declared

eclared