Chapter 34 Betrayal's Price

• The throne room had been transformed into an arena of accusations and drawn steel. My father sat on his iron throne, flanked by his most loyal guards, while Prince Aldric knelt in chains before the dais. Blood streaked his golden hair, and his autumn-leaf eyes burned with fury that promised retribution.
• "Ah, daughter," my father said as I entered. "Perfect timing. It seems your intended husband has been caught in a treasonous conspiracy against both our houses."
• I kept my expression carefully neutral, though my heart hammered against my ribs. "What treasonous conspiracy?"