Liv fell silent, lowering her gaze to the flickering flames of the ritual fire. Yet no warmth could reach the sudden chill that spread through her chest.
The ritual had finally ended, and that night they attended a grand banquet held in the courtyard of the Grand Duke's castle. The place was vast, illuminated by torches and hanging lanterns flickering beneath the gray northern sky. From her seat, Liv could see two great wolf statues standing proudly near the gates the sacred symbols of Zelthar's ancestors.
Across the courtyard, several knights sparred playfully, their laughter echoing through the night. But Liv remained silent. Ever since Jay had told her to focus on the ritual, she hadn't spoken much.
'Is she angry?' Jay wondered to himself. But with nobles and soldiers bowing before them to offer congratulations, he could do nothing but return polite smiles.
As the future heir of Zelthar, all eyes were fixed on him and on his new wife.
