ina

ice-mint tea onto my fingers, the ch

into the booth in a deep red gown and sat across

a Alliance's armored coach

tened around th

really

ight behind this wall," Harper whispered back, h

. "So, once he settles in, we're going ahead with the plan, righ

nod. "Don't worry.

fing rune near the top air vent was cracked. If I listened closely, I could hear t

e that seeped through the stone and made my gray B

r throat, and spoke just loud enough f

lly going to cut ties

and kept my voic

in a military zone, so he can have her. But I will n

all, the foo

her part, si

rothal, he'll strip your inheritance and throw you out of the Antai Guild.

left me," I said coldly, aiming every word at the vent. "

e, the clink of a teacup again

wed hard and

ign Basin would dare offend the

allowance," I scoffed. "The only one who can crush the Marquess House is t

aint rustle of clothes vanished, replaced by an invis

r's knee shook, but sh

rs from violent Tide-Spirit backlash! Rumor says he hates women so mu

ter laying out a ledger. "The elders at the High Council's Great Table use his unma

ries me, he can shut the High Council's mouth whenever he c

e for two years to take back my family's business. I won't ask for his affection, I won't t

hest rising and falling

arble wall came a

eh

ght down my spine. Harper turned pale

l wait for you in the co

e bead curtain and va

sip of cold mint tea to sto

r corner. As they approached, the quiet chatter

blocking the golden light from the hall. I touched the blo

e crystal bead curtain aside, revealing a pair of d