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He stilled and looked at me over his shoulder

“Who are you?”

He stepped away and entered the hallhere Quinn had disappeared

I was left there,as if the walls of the castle crumbled around me

TWO

Ivory

I sat with Burke, my father’s co

“What were you doing outside your room?” He wore a black cape like my father, a dark blue tunic, and was always in his battle unifored on the surface

I ignored the flutter inoutside”

“But if you heard hiuards in the hallway”

I didn’t appreciate his astute observation—not when it was directed on me, at least

“What ht?”

“I just heard hiet to the part of the story that actually matters?”

He stared

“It’s the sao, and he looks at me like he wants to kill me”

“He had the perfect opportunity to do that last night—and he didn’t”

I gave a loud sigh “Doesn’t ht now? I’arded But if Ryker said so, it would be taken seriously”

“Ryker hasn’t uard with blue eyes”

“Because he has it out for me, apparently”

“We only eest and most able men to defend this castle, as well as your father They aren’t diplomats They aren’t shopkeepers They’re here for a job—and may not be pleasant company as they do it”

Okay, I officially give up

“Can we proceed to other matters now?”

Yes, let’s just sweep it under the rug and assu “Sure”

“Your presence is required in the Capital”

“And who’s requesting my presence?”

“Queen Rutherford She’s hosting a retreat for all the young ladies of the court”

That etting together with s on the list Occasionally, I’d et involved with hiuards and men I met in town into ossip “When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow”

“That’s short notice”

“Do you have prior engagements?”

I’d checked on Madeline the other day, and she’d pulled through the night It would take soth, but she would be a powerful horse once uess not I love the Capital this time of year Can actually see the ocean instead of a bottomless cliff”

He shifted his gaze away

“Burke?”