Book 4: Red-Handed

Xandra

I pick at breakfast, trying to quell the riot in my stomach. Next to me, Father darts his gaze at my plate. If I don’t manage to get something down, he’ll ask if I’m well again. He might even insist on coming with me to visit Miralyn, and though I’ve been very clear with her that I’m not telling anyone about this until I’m forced to, I don’t want to put her in the position to lie to her king. She’s a terrible liar, anyway.

Everything has changed. I’ve lost so much. But I still know how to hide disgust behind my teeth. I force myself to take a bite of flatbread and wash it down with a sip of tea.

Father looks away, and I exhale slowly.

Across the small, round table at the southernmost point of the room, in the position of honor beneath banners of House Mlakar and of Dun’s Crossing, Finn cuts his eyes at me. I shake my head surreptitiously. We sit in the middle of a crowded dining hall, surrounded by nobles and secretaries alike. Five da