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Lily closed her eyes, long lashes dark against her pale cheeks Her hair, reen cloak, though wisps curled free at her temples

She was so weary, so alone

Radulf—it was a nalish’s Sword, because he was an extension of Williareedy htful rulers? His reputation was bloody and fearsome, but he was still only a landless, lowborn Norlish noble

She would not humble herself to Radulf

At last, Lily opened her eyes They were gray, a dark, storland I will never be able to return”

But if she stayed she would die, and her death would be less episode in a world whereon to her life in the hope she could still do soood for her people

“If only I were a man,” Lily muttered “I would stay and face Radulf”

“A woer than any sword,” Rona said

Lily frowned, not understanding

“You o now,” Rona insisted “Quickly, before it is too late Already Radulf , a formidable enemy”

Lily’s hand rested a o Farewell, Rona”

“Farewell, my lady May God keep you from harm”

After Lily’s slender form had melted into the dark forest, Rona turned back to her kettle When she had seen Radulf and hisFrightened and yet fascinated, Rona had crept closer, trying to see his face Her foot had slipped on the leaf mold and made a soft sound

Radulf had turned to look

Dark eyes were narrowed in a harsh face, strong andtime and Rona had held her breath, terrified When Radulf turned away, relief had made her dizzy After the Normans climbed back upon their horses and left, she had crept back to her hut

Rona could only pray that her Lily would safely escape—for the King’s Sould have no mercy if he found her

Chapter 1

Lily stood perfectly still, listening

She had ridden forher breath at the edge of a hen a group of men-at-arms rode past There was no route north that was safe, and she had zigzagged across the country, doubling back again and again, until she was exhausted