Serra

with the intertwined sigils of a wolf and a dragon.

ked up at me, his eyes filled with a new

ht. He turned and disappeared through the palac

ng but a single stone bench. This was a place for low-ranking indi

rose to its peak and t

read. This was the way of the palace, a silent tes

sign of anxiety or impatience. In my past life, this cold treatment might have broken my fragile spirit. But aft

nted to see if the daughter of Corbin Ser

llow the last rays of sunlight, t

n elderly Dragonless man, dressed in a pristine b

ess-like tone. "His Majesty has ag

stiff from sitting for so long,

e palace was even grander than it looked from the outside. The floors wer

golden doors, carved with a relief of th

you." Oswald pushed the doors ope

th and stepped int

and a faint scent of sulfur-the overwhelming dragon's breath of a pure-blood Dragon-G

a simple black tunic, his hair streaked with silver. He

s voice low and magnetic, filled

med the deepest, most formal cu

day?" he asked, not telling me to rise.

orth, waiting for my father to return from a hunt," I replied c

o twitch into a smile, but it was gone

tro's new betrothal?" he asked directly. "A

ld do. A discarded wife, coming to

ok my

our Ma

stro on finding a partner who will bring glory to his hou

n the King's eyes. He leaned forward s

t? Gold? Another fief

straight in the eye, my gaze unyielding. "I

's curiosity w

e Dragon King, approve a 'Rejection Ri