Lucian waited three weeks before asking again. I noticed. I did not reward him for waiting. That would have made patience another currency. But I noticed. By then I was back at White Moon court.

Winter had broken. The mountain roads were mud instead of ice. Leo had comp

Four months passed before I asked Isolde about bonding law. Not Lucian. Isolde. That mattered.

We were in the White Moon records room arguing over north-bridge repairs when I closed the trade ledger and said, "What happens if someone wants a new mate bond after a Severing?" Is

One year later, Leo had opinions about both governments. White Moon, according to him, had better breakfast bread. Blackthorn had better climbing trees. White Moon guards were stricter about running in council corridors.

Blackthorn tutors assigned too much writing. Mar