Chapter 7. By Order of the Queen Mother

Lyra POV

Cally’s eyes keep flashing in my mind, exhausted, deflated… sick. The sound of her cough keeps echoing through my head. I’ve heard her erupt in fits of coughs so many times.

But I trudge forward, the hands of the guards burning against me as they shove me every time I try to stop. In my weakened state, there’s nothing I can do to stop them.

There may be nothing I can do, even if and when I regain my full strength. These are wolves who can tear my head off in an instant.

But I don’t believe they will do that as long as the king wants me. And since he has sent for me, that must be the case. My only hope is to beg for Cally’s release once I meet him face-to-face.

Though the very idea of that terrifies me.

The ache in my stomach grinds as we reach