Chapter 36

My eyes flutteropen to the pale light of dawn seeping through the windows. I stretch out my arm across the silken sheets, seeking Jasce's warmth, but find only empty space.

Disappointment lances through me as I sit up and glance around the bedchamber. The dying embers in the fireplace confirm that Jasce did not join me during the night.

I rise and don a simple gown, forgoing the intricate laces and ties of my more formal cotehardies. Lastly, I pull on my veil and settle it around my face.

Did something terrible happen last night?

Is that why Jasce didn't return?

Apprehension builds inside me as I step out of the bedchamber and wander the labyrinth of corridors. Servants dart furtive glances my way, whispers dying on their lips as I pass.

Rounding a corner, I collide with a solid form. Strong hands clasp my shoulders, steadying me. I gaze up into Jasce's haggard features, his jaw clenched tight, eyes stormy.

Dread prowls through my chest at his thunderous expression. Something awful has happened, and my husband looks ready to burn the whole city down in retaliation.

"Jasce, what is it? Has something happened?" I ask, my voice thick with worry.

His hands tighten on my shoulders before he drops them to his sides. "There was an attack last night. A warehouse was set ablaze, and our winter stores were destroyed."

With winter fast approaching, the loss of those crucial supplies could mean starvation for many.

"Who is behind it?" I ask.

Jasce's jaw works. "Rebels and sympathizers from House of Silver. The possibilities are endless."

I close my eyes, sorrow welling up inside me. Of course, my people would be blamed, whether justly or not.

"You say the possibilities are endless, but what do you actually know?"

A frustrated breath escapes him as he rakes a hand through his dark hair. "No one saw who set the fire, but my men found traces of silver powder at the scene."

Silver powder is used in some House of Silver magical rituals, but it has plenty of mundane uses too. "Silver powder is common enough. It could have been anyone."

Anger flares in Jasce's eyes. "Who else would dare attack us so brashly, if not your people?"

My chest aches at the way Jasce said your people.

"Maybe," I begin, "those responsible wish for you to make assumptions. To cast blame without evidence."

Jasce shakes his head. "Do you honestly think this has nothing to do with House of Silver?"

"I'm saying nothing is ever that simple. But it's easier for you to scapegoat us than look within your own walls."

Jasce moves to the window and braces his hands against the frame. "I am looking within my own walls. I believe that House of Silver is helping stoke the flame of civil unrest that is growing in Sharhavva."

I move to stand next to him and stare out into the garden below the window. "You said Asha wouldn't attack this city if I married you."

"I was wrong."

I swallow through the pain of his words. "Silver powder doesn't automatically me—"

He raises his hand, silencing me. "I am not a fool, Annora. I have more proof than silver powder."

"What kind of proof?"

Jasce pulls a folded piece of parchment from his cloak and hands it to me. "This missive arrived from Asha this morning."

Trepidation creeps up my spine as I stare down at the parchment and slowly open it. The script is bold, unmistakably Asha's, each word a lash from her quill.

You have stolen my sister from me, and now I will take everything from you. Your crown will be a circlet of ash upon your brow, a mocking emblem of the ruin I shall bring upon your reign. No force in this world can shield you from the vengeance that burns within me.

I will scorch the very earth you walk upon, leaving nothing but smoldering embers in my wake, until all that remains of your empire is the bitter taste of soot and regret. Prepare yourself, for I will stop at nothing to destroy you, to watch as your kingdom crumbles to dust beneath the relentless fury of my retribution.

I rip my gaze away and allow the parchment to fall from my grip. Trembles overtake me as I look away from Jasce and take a deep, shuddering breath, trying desperately to calm the nerves twisting in my stomach.

The words in her missive are not the hurt, angry words of a loving sister; they are an edict to annihilate an entire kingdom of people.

I have always known that Asha was ambitious, but now I see I underestimated Grandfather's influence on her and her hatred for House of Crimson.

And instead of giving her a reason to make peace, I fear my union with Jasce will be the flint she strikes with her sword to engulf our houses in flames.

"I told you our marriage would invite war," I say through numb lips.

Jasce leans down and picks up the letter, folds it neatly, and places it back into his cloak, his movements far calmer than the maelstrom building inside me. I envy his composure even as I resent it. "Asha is angry right now, but I still believe that we can find a path to peace."

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound grating against the tightness in my chest. "No, Jasce. I know how fiercely determined she can be when she decides on a path. She was tutored in war by my grandfather. And she believes, as he did, that silver was meant to be the ruling house. If Hakan wouldn't lay down his sword for peace between our houses, she will not lay down hers." I shake my head, blinking back the sting of tears. "Our marriage was a mistake."

A muscle clenches in Jasce's jaw. "Don't say that."

Pain throbs through my chest, my heart, my throat. "It is the truth, Jasce. You just refuse to face it."

"Annora." He moves closer, the scent of smoke and sandalwood washing over me as he places his hand against my arm. "We are going to unite our houses, but it will take time."

I pull away, my eyes burning. "At what cost? Who will die for that peace? My family?" A bitter taste floods my mouth as I stumble away from him. "I cannot build a life with you, knowing I will have to chop down branches of my family tree to have it. I won't sacrifice them for us."

"Annora." He reaches for me again, his callused fingers brushing against my arm before I jerk away, backing up until the rough stone wall presses into my back.

Three more steps take me even further from him. "You cannot promise me that you will not engage her. You cannot, because if you did promise that, you would have to sacrifice your family and your people, and I wouldn't ask that of you."

"I love you, Annora, and I believe in us. In our bond. You are the one who doubts it," he says, his words echoing in the empty corridor.

Unshed tears burn my eyes as I shake my head. "I don't doubt you. I doubt our ability to bring peace between our houses. You read Asha's words. She wants you dead, and she will not stop until she achieves what she wants or..." I swallow hard, unable to say the unthinkable words out loud. Unable to voice my deepest fear—that this conflict will end in tragedy for those I love.

He straightens to his full height and locks his gaze with mine. "I will defend this city, and I will quell this rebellion, but I promise you, Annora, I will try for peace with your sister first."

I turn away from him, unable to face this impossible situation, unable to face the idea of Asha's fierce armies clashing with Jasce's forces in a bloody battle that will tear our land apart.

The heavy footsteps of someone else echo down the torch-lit stone corridor before coming to a stop near Jasce. I turn as a guard bows before Jasce.

"You're needed in the War Room, My Lord," the guard says, his gravelly voice low and serious.

I swallow hard past the bile rising in my throat as both men turn and walk away. Sadness swells within me as I reach for my necklace and squeeze my fingers around the seashell pendant, as if it could somehow protect me from the storm to come.

But it cannot.

Nothing can.