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"There you are," he said gruffly "I have the horses waiting"

The oldca back into the kitchen, a pack clutched in her hands "Here" She thrust it at me "Here are some provisions just in case, but you should reach Caera before nightfall"

I thanked theas did Wolfe, before Wolfe gestured to the doorway His eyes had hardened "Ladies first"

My instinct (call it years of disliking him) was to be peeved with hi him So I pinched my mouth closed and headed past hirunted I glanced back with a little furroeen my brows as the two shared a look – her a look and then quickly whipped back around at his ferocious glare

It was going to be a long ride to Caera

We rode the horses hard to Caera With the two of us angry at me, I felt emotionally and physically exhausted e reached the city I almost ith relief as we crossed the beautifully sculpted bridge over the River Cael and into the gates of Caera I had never been to Caera before but I’d heard about the bridge It ide enough for horses and carts to pass one another and was made of thick, sturdy stone, polished to brilliance On either side alls ht Massive stone statues stood guard at either entrance – two ethereal looking fee at the exit Some say it was Vojvodkyna Winter’s sense of humour: Caera was a woed creatures beckoned froe and I stared wide-eyed How e? It was beautiful… but wasn’t it a waste? I was sure Jarvis would think so

As soon as ere inside the city walls, I felt Wolfe’s urgency to get to the Guard asmasses as they hurried to and fro The marketplace in Daeronia would be busy; they didn’t have anything to export except beer and coal, so much of the business was in import I had to admit as I followed Wolfe out of the main streets to quieter cobbled ones, I was impressed by the Vojvodkyna’s white stone city It really was spectacularly beautiful Much like her Grace I winced, suddenly reulped

That wouldn’t be aard at all

Unlike the other wealthy districts of Phaedra, the Radiant District was a walled district with a gatekeeper When Wolfe explained ere, one of the soldiers disappeared behind the carved wooden doors keeping us out Wolfe glared his disapproval at the three other guards who tried desperately not to shift their feet unco that glare could be

"Captain!"

We both turned at the sound of Lieutenant Chaeron’s voice as he cauard to open theood to see you, Lieutenant" Wolfe nodded down at his

I sood to see you"

"You too, Miss Rogan" He looked up at me with concern as he walked byhe was genuinely distressed that I had been taken whilst under his protection, I sought to reassure him, "Of course, Lieutenant Captain Wolfe and I looked out for one another"

We both ignored the grunt from the said Captain’s direction

"The Vojvodkyna has a suite waiting for you She realises how exhausted you iven you leave to retreat to your roo to h That would make me sound jealous And I wasn’t Not a bit "How kind of her"

So outside of Vojvodkyna Winter’s spectacular stone white ly small replica of the Silverian Palace Hmm I raised an eyebrow but kept quiet I wouldn’t have been able to comment, even if I had wanted to The soldiers circledus with questions, anxiety, remorse, until Wolfe actually took pity on an," Wolfe called tohim so for the htly, face expressionless

"Yes, Captain?"

"I would prefer if we stayed here for a few days instead of one To regain our strength"

I returned his nod with a brittle one of estion, despite et to Alvernia… except I wondered if it was just wisdom on Wolfe’s part or if he wanted so off the strange pang of pain I felt, I followed Lieutenant Chaeron who introduced me to the butler, a beautiful older woman; her auburn hair was tied back in a fierce knot, streaks of silver darting through it in the sides I was surprised that Winter had such an attractive butler, thinking perhaps her vain enough to want to be the prettiest woman in her home But when the butler called for two maid servants to helpThe twocreatures, their auburn hair and wide blue eyes a striking counterpart to their dark work clothes Then again, even their work clothes were the finest I had seen It was then I realised so obvious: Vojvodkyna Winter Rada was obsessed with beauty And so far the servants resee to say the least, and I wasn’t just being snotty because of her history with Wolfe; I found it a little narcissistic Not a little A lot As I followed the stunning little creatures to a lovely bedroom suite where a bath already awaited me as well as tray of food, I snorted at the maids’ beauty The Royal Guard must be in haven here

It was a wonderful sleep Coain, but I had given in to the idea that until I saved her, she was going to be a regular visitor ina tray over my lap She informed me I had missed breakfast, but that once I was refreshed I was invited to join the Vojvodkyna in her parlour for tea Not particularly looking forward to that I reeable noise fro into my toast in frustration The maid stared ather anger out on harout a dress for e the Royal Guard had kept safe I nearly sighed happily It would be nice to wear clean clothes

I followed another pretty old A handsome footman with burnished brown hair and pale blue eyes pulled the door open forback to the footely familiar

"I see Arnaud has captured your attention," a husky voice curled around aze in its direction

Iot the impact of Winter’s beauty Contrary to her na auburn hair, wide cobalt eyes and fine features Her pale skin was the only thing about her that could be considered winterish No wonder Wolfe had wanted this woman Which reallyinand I was all… thunderclouds and rain with my black hair and dark eyes Wolfe-