viev

ce, and benevolent grace. Due to his exalted status as Crown Prince, the lesser dra

ersized brazier-and the glowing iron plate laid across its searing coals. A flicker of darkne

ly an unbroken decree for a roy

zier herself, questioned by the Crown

to chime in. "To answer His Royal Hig

forcing a bride to walk barefoot across a blazing iron plate was unheard of. It was a blatant warning from the Queen-a harsh lesson meant to break

wish to make things difficult for you. I am merely enforcing the strict rites of the bonding ceremony. If you do not cross

with fury. She opened her mouth

way," I said, keeping my voice m

satisfaction. "The

from the royal court instructed me on many customs-how to sit, how to stand, how to walk with proper grace. Yet, they never once taught

ted in shock. "Wha

's wool, trying to o

, his expression unreadable as he

, is it not the rule that the court matrons must personally demonstrate the etiquette they teach? As

s face

es, court matrons were required to demonstrate, but every soul pr

Damian sided with her, his vaunted reputation

ian a desperate

et us go drink the wedding wine. This is a trivial matter best left t

tha to use the Queen's authority to torment me. Furthermore, his words carried a veiled threat to his

e to pray to the Dragon Gods for mercy, before turning o

under her breath, standing staunchly by my side.

boots fading into the distance, the cor

n't wait for

neered, her confidence fu

was certain Damian and his sycophants were entirely out of earshot, my

me exactly how one walks ac

my l

hadn't expected me to resist now that my sup

eye, he was upon her, an iron grip locking onto her shoulder. He dragged her violently toward the roaring