ea

frosted stone bank with a

p bitter mouthfuls of pond water while the free

led onto the grass, carrying

fingers digging into his chest as she poin

ss the courtyard for every noble Lord and Lady to hear

m, his handsome face twisting with rig

ce carrying the full weight of a high-born knight. "Des

an to murmur, their judgmental gazes s

cripple with no inner wolf,

a knight like Lord Lambert,

up from the co

ut I stood with my spine straight, ref

ffer a tear

eg Emory to

the wet gravel, stopping directly in front of De

er of triumphant cruelty dancin

d swung it with every oun

h echoed off the high stone arches li

ead snappe

n mud, her hair coming undone as five bright

n plunged into a

submissive Richmond daughter s

the silver pommel of his ceremonial sword. "Are you in

eyes, completely unfazed

clear and steady. "If my sister insists that I violently shoved her into the pond wit

brow f

ound, her hand flying

both, "her shoulders, neck, and arms will bear the bruising of a struggle.

breath

sodden collar shut, her

yone saw it! Emory, please ta

ff cleanly, turning my head toward the two white-robed figures pus

bound by strict crown o

guards and knelt beside Dessie,

healer's fingertips as he pressed his pal

e senior healer stood up and

uising, no grip marks, and no sign

owd st

veral fine threads of silver-blue silk pl

ic of Lady Kalea's left wrist. The physical evidence sho

urmurs swept thro

at me flipped instantly towar

rned an ugly sh

e undeniable proof, he slowly d

ng toward me with a stiff

ened by the water. She lost her he

rs grabbed empty air. "Had the healers not been here, you would have g

chuckle rumbled

a carved marble pillar, wringing the pond

rned with raw contempt

attack and a desperate cling," Gaines drawled, his deep voice carrying easil

urning white, but he dared not draw a b

e heavy, synchronized thud of armored b

nobles, their golden wolf banner