A Marriage of Swords
she breathed, her voice like honey.
Vanessa of Cresthaven followed. Slender, with dark hair and a serene, artistic demeanor. She carried a small sketchbook, as if ready to capture the moment. Her curtsy was graceful, her smile shy. She was said to paint exquisite miniatures.
Then Briana from the western merchant cities. Her gown was the richest, embroidered with real gold thread. Her beauty was sharp, calculated. Her eyes assessed the room, the future queen’s quarters, with a practical, acquisitive glint. Her curtsy was precise, a business transaction.