Astrid's POV
"Sign it, Astrid. Then we'll talk about how your blessing will be useful to me."
My eyes remained fixed on his mask. The crazed beating of my chest slowed. Anger racked my nerves so much it gave me a headache. This was what he wanted? "A marriage? I expected recruitment into your barracks."
Sir Martiel rested an elbow against the arm of his seat. "You don't get a recruitment, Astrid." His gaze remained fixed on me behind the mask. "You are a Moonborn wolf. Your value lies elsewhere."
The words settled over me like cold water. My fingers loosened around the contract until the parchment trembled in my hands. Somewhere deep inside, the hope I had clung to cracked.
"My blessing can strengthen your soldiers. Isn't that what you want?" I asked quietly.
"No." his answer came too quickly.
