e of Flame was unlike any oth

e the place where Kael's great-grandfather kept traitors, and spie

gainst stone... and weeping. It was

royal robe caught on broken bricks. Her hair fell loose, sticking to her tear-streaked face. T

not after Kael walked away, without turning back, no

ankles to the stone slab, she didn't resist. She stared at the wall-one hand trembling, her mind

na resumed their roles as sweet, dutiful wives. Eshara offered herself to the ki

g bitter wine and pacing alone. His sword, st

he marble table. And still

days

h of his touch, the sound of her name on his lips. Now she heard only rat

heard a whisper. "You

the bars. A girl in servant's garb slipped into the

ant dip of water. Time dissolved into shadows. For Queen Seraya, th

. Her lips were cracked. Her sk

ers. Her head lolled to the side, resting weakly against the c

eful. A flicker of candlelight broke through the dark. A sha

, clutching a cloth-wrapped bundle close to her chest. Her

uards and lied to a

, eyes scanning the corner wher

n the corner

he unwrapped the bundle a small portion of rice, season

Just a little."Seraya's eyes fluttered o

t it collapsed to her side. H

throa

ide her queen. She dipped a cloth in the br

te. Mila continued, slowly feeding her with trembling fingers, on

this. I brought herbs roots from my mother's garden

of sunleaf and deerroot into Seraya

g," she said firmly. "Even if it costs me my life."

se you will be

lder. "Because you are the only queen who ever treated me l

a's c

nt, flowing like smoke around her hips. Her skin glistened with scented oil. G

le she just st

t this moment h

reflection, "he will belong to m

refoot and silent. Her presence m

passed. After all, she was still his wife

s armor still resting on the table,

, shirtless, a goblet i

oad, powerful,

she breath

ce bright gold, were now dull w

oment he threw the woman h

he said,

en alone here since morning, your highness, dont let such a trival matter disturb

st." She came closer. "Kael looked at her,

flawless skin. "Because I am your wife. I've waited patiently, silently,

d his chest. At fi

m with no escape. Her touch became an anchor. Her scent became intoxicating. Her

er way but his heart? That remained