RICE

n Grimsby had returned in disgrace, fu

er!" I shrieked.

's wife now," my daughter Cl

l in a coma. Her position is not as secure as she

far prettier than Seraphina. And your bloodline, while not noble, is purer.

horrifie

veget

on Lord. If you can get into his bed and produce an hei

edy ambition cro

PHIN

hes fueled me with a desperate hope. He

in my conquest of

le, wary of outsiders. I, the new lady who had appeared out of nowher

on the battlements and the servants toiling in the

looked startled to see a noble lady in his domain. To the Dragon-born,

omething for the staff. A cooling, sweet

A lady of the castle, cooking

itude," I explained, "for all their

on filled with the sweet aroma of simmering mung

person in the castle, from the guards on the

Gareth took the first bowl with a gruff

rds break into small smiles. I saw tired maids sigh with relief. The way they look

l step, but i

t his chest. Beneath the skin, I could see the faint, rhythmic gold

aced my fingertips dire

ike a tiny bolt of lightning, shot from him into me

ow, guttural sound, a pained and su

eart hammering against my ribs. He had rea

he fell still again, the moment

fically my touch on his Dragon Core, was