The air in the dining hall was usually just heavy with the scent of roasted meat and expensive wine, but tonight, it felt like someone had replaced the oxygen with gunpowder.
And you can probably guess who that 'someone' is, huhu.
I took my time entering. I had swapped my garden shawl for a delicate, shimmering wrap, but the Duke's purple rose remained tucked firmly behind my ear. Around my neck sat the delicate silver chain Julian had sent, and on my wrist was the wintry, silver bangle cuff from Caelum. I was a walking exhibition of Valerius's obsession.
As I stepped through the archway, the clinking of silver against porcelain died instantly.
"Lady Lyssa," the Duke announced, his voice booming with a warmth that made Vivienne's tail lash behind her chair. "Join us. I believe the venison is to your liking."
I glided to my seat—the one directly opposite the heirs—and gave the table a smile that was all teeth. "Thank you, Your Grace."
