The rest of the training session was a blur. Arianna went through the motions, but her mind was elsewhere, turning over the implications of Lady Valkyrie's announcement. A formal dinner. The high table. Lord Fredrick returning to the citadel.

She was being put on display.

When Marcus finally dismissed her, the sun was high overhead and Arianna's body had moved past pain into a state of numb exhaustion. She limped back to the servants' quarters, dreading what awaited her there.

Selene was already in her room.

The older woman stood by the narrow bed, examining a gown that had been laid out carefully across the thin mattress. It was beautiful—far...