e Winte

as surrounded by his family, Beryl clinging to his side like a frightened rabbit. The boy,

d we might have had, had he ever truly come home to me.A sharp pain lance

goblets. They were made of dragon-crystal, shimmering in the firelight, v

t. "I'm not thi

ed. "Delphine,

thing to talk about

hand was hot, like a br

e dripping with ice. "Please let g

gent. "Beryl and Theo will be living here now.

e estate. By tradition, it was the home of the lady of House Ward. I had l

e sound. "Of course. It won't be

easy agreement, completely miss

o my own residence, the Whispering Willow Court. I could feel his gaze burning into my back, but I didn'

my maids, Clara and Min

pered, her eyes red.

Mina poured me a cup of hot tea

Mina asked, her voice

the cup and watching the steam

e time. Patience. An

the door. It was Erwin

d Lord Ward's presence. The lord is... in a temper. But h

in, coming here? Forced

g it open. He had changed out of his uniform and into a casual tunic embroidered with the red-gold d

aids away, le

g to the window instead. "M

ve' on the battlefield? Or how you can live comfortably on my f

fury at being so accurately called

rated sigh. "Delphine, I know I owe you. But you can't d

excuse for betra

nly pacing the room

lifeblood of House Ward truly lay. She was afraid I would cut off the funds in a

o late. My heart had died

He stood before me, reaching

ce strained. "Just give me s