Harr

my morning cup of spiced tea, when Declan bu

linder, freshly detached from th

face unusually tight. "An offici

p down on the saucer

g one booted leg over the other. "She lasted barely a night in th

ed me the r

ined, desperate plea for a carriage, an apology for her insolence, and a prom

the crisp, sharp line

irk f

hs at the ninth hour of the morning. The Parting Ri

seal. Do

ed into my ret

re, blistering heat surged from m

crimson flames burst from my fingertips,

y hands, fluttering down onto the poli

r as the air in the room skyrocketed in temperature, th

Lo

summon

ing snarl that shook the c

a loud crack echoing as a spiderweb of

s on her back, who relies on my silver to feed her bastar

of the room like a caged beast, my spurs

ridiculous display of bravado will force me to ride

her back to the cells, My Lord?

mance at the Registry, I will give her one. I will sign her pathetic little separation. I will strip her of every c

ntle from the stand, toss

Declan. Let us go watch

Stephe

f the Registry of Oaths like an unsharpened blade, bitin

ss staircase leading up to the towerin

gowns and velvet tunics my m

ss-the standard, somber attire worn by Dragonless

n leather cord, exposing my hollowed

e stood

ng armor, her Dragonslayer Gold breas

wool, its hood pulled up just enough to shade her hone

aging, stern-faced commoner woman from the lower boroughs-a tired aun

r hand was clamped firmly around the cold, heavy

ng air, her gaze scanning the empty square. "The healing salve Eben gave you should

olded neatly in front of my waist. "I could stand h

rous pride threading her words. "Look to the no

deep, grinding rumble of steel-rimmed wheels e

einforced with dark iron scales rolled into the square, flanked by fou

Harris family-a jagged black mountain wrapped in

o a halt fifty paces

ing the brass handle, and s

pped down onto t