Romane von Kwrite4

Vera’s POVIronclaw's fortress stood behind a high stone wall, with armed guards posted above the entrance and a narrow road leading through the gate. By the time our carriage stopped in the courtyard, my back ached from the journey, and I wanted nothing more than a meal and a room where nobody could issue another order about my future.A broad-shouldered man approached the carriage before the driver had finished lowering the steps. His dark hair was tied behind his head, and the scars along his hands were visible when he opened the door. He wore no ceremonial cloak, but the guards straightened as soon as he appeared.“Vera Ashford,” he said. “I am Cassian Blackwood, and I expect you have been told why you are here.”“I have been told what my husband wants, what the elders want, and what your council wants,” I replied as I climbed down. “Nobody has shown much interest in what I want, so I hope you will forgive me for not being enthusiastic about the welcome.”His silver-gray eyes rem

Vera’s POVCassian's reply arrived two days later, carried by an Ironclaw messenger who refused refreshments and requested a private audience with Adrian. I was reviewing winter stores with the steward when a guard came to fetch me, and I followed him to the council chamber without asking why my husband suddenly wanted me present.Adrian stood at the head of the table with Mordecai beside him. A letter bearing Ironclaw's black seal lay open between them, and a second document had been prepared for signatures. Neither man offered me a greeting when I entered.“Cassian has agreed to receive you,” Adrian said. “His council requires a formal transfer document, and the arrangements will be completed once the healers certify that you are suitable.”“Suitable for what?” I asked. “You have been speaking about a transfer for days, but neither of you has explained what Cassian expects from me after I arrive.”Mordecai indicated the chair opposite him. “Alpha Cassian's fiancée, Elara, has been

Vera’s POVElder Mordecai kept us waiting outside the council chamber while the other elders assembled. Adrian stood several paces away from me, speaking in a low voice to his adviser, and I wondered whether he had told anyone that I intended to challenge the petition. No one had asked me for a statement before the hearing.When the doors opened, Mordecai was seated beneath the carved Blackwood crest with his staff resting against his chair. The other elders occupied the long table, and a clerk waited beside an open ledger. Adrian took the seat prepared for him, leaving me standing until an attendant brought another chair.“Luna Vera,” Mordecai began, “Alpha Adrian has requested the dissolution of your marriage because he has recognized a mate bond with another woman. We have examined the request under the laws governing the Blackwood bloodline.”“Then you should hear my account before deciding anything,” I said. “I learned about this bond yesterday, and my husband had already arrange

Vera’s POVAdrian did not stop walking until we reached his study. He shut the door behind us and crossed to the desk, where a stack of petitions waited beneath a silver paperweight. I remained by the door because I wanted him to explain himself before he found another task more important than our marriage.“How long have you known?” I asked. “Not how long you have been thinking about announcing it, Adrian. How long have you known you wanted Selene?”“I told you the bond appeared six months ago.” He pulled out his chair but did not sit. “There was no sensible way to tell you without upsetting you, and I had hoped you would make this easier.”“You had six months to speak to me, and instead you brought her into our home.” I pressed my hands together to stop them shaking. “You let me arrange her rooms and defend her when the council questioned where she came from.”“She needed protection, and I provided it.” His voice grew impatient. “You would have done the same for any refugee, so do

Vera’s POVThe dressmaker had pinned the waist of my gown so tightly that I could barely sit, and I was still trying to loosen the stitching when Adrian came into our bedroom. He stopped beside the wardrobe, looked at the dark green silk spread across my knees, and frowned as though I had chosen it deliberately to offend him.“Please tell me you have something else to wear,” he said, setting his gloves on the dresser. “The delegates from Silvercrest will be at dinner, and I would rather not spend the evening listening to their wives discuss your clothes.”“I wore this when we welcomed the northern council,” I reminded him. “You said nothing about it then, and your mother complimented the color.”“My mother compliments anyone who manages to get dressed without assistance.” He opened a drawer and searched through his cuff links. “Wear the black one, Vera. It makes you look smaller.”I had spent the afternoon checking the kitchens, rearranging the seating chart after two council members