viev

of the mighty wyvern legions-directly to two Lords who

tely sever Queen Corri

ched my lips. The Queen's

ho wouldn't crave the intoxicat

s statecraft in the shadows of the dragon court-I understood all too well her desire to

ver apothecarian needles for me. And withdraw a tho

s heel. He had always been a man of few words, ne

marrying a royal Lord. The betrothal gifts and your dowry wi

?" I cast a sidelong glance at her. "Since w

ppropriately chastened, and

conic etiquette. Yet, whether out of sheer disdain for these marriages or by the Queen's explicit design, their teachings were insultingly perfunctory. It was almost as if they were setting us up to ma

f with a smug, soaring arrogance, as though she were already envision

ed it off with

bers simultaneously, with Blaire trailing close behind. Looking at the heavy dowry ches

lone was entitled to a bountiful dowry. What right did I, the

t for the Dragon King's decree and the fact that we were marrying on the

King's decree cannot be defied, you are merely an adopted daughter of this house. Yet, your marriage ar

, and offered a hesitant, probing question.

n fierce, frantic opposition. "The unions are set! How could we possib

cal how desperately she guarded her match with the Sixth Lord,

ully convinced that she was destined to rule the court and leave me to suffer the

with displeasure. "The marriages were decreed by the Dragon King

perfectly mask the false grievance in my voice. "The Fourth Lord's constitution is notoriously frail. If

at happens in the future, just remember that House Cruz raised you. You are to bear your own burdens from now on. If, by s

ected to repay their supposed grace; if I fell into ruin, I was to rot

, obedient nod. "

reston and Spencer turned on their heels and strode d

er, her fists clenched tight. "My

my tone cool and indifferent. "L

t day forward, my fate would be entirely severed from their bloodline. Since they were destined to become nothin