Chapter A
Inable the Silver Chalice Inn, Eleanor had already downed half a flagon of cherry ronitial
The sweet alcohol scorched her throat, but it couldn’t burn away the bitterness in her chest
Across the fable, Roland was busy picking out bones from Cecily’s fish with meticulous care, his
expression reverent like it was a sacred ritual
He was supposed to be her guard
And yet now, he stood by Cecily’s side, never leaving her for even a moment
Cecily leaned in to whisper something, her lips brushing teasingly close to Roland’s ear. That man
always ice cold and distant toward Eleanor actually flushed at the tips of his ears
Eleanor let out a cold laugh and turned away, only to be surrounded by a group of foppish young
nobles.
“Lady Eleanor, would you honor me with a drink?”
“Come join us, we won’t bite.”
“I’ve been dying to meet you. That face. it’s even more breathtaking up close
Trapped in the corner, she could neither retreat nor fight her way out The more she refused, the
more emboldened they became until one of them shamelessly slid a hand around her waist
“Roland!” she snapped, unable to bear it any longer
Only then did the man seem to notice her situation. His brows creased as he pushed through the
crowd, his cold, commanding presence scattering the young lords like frightened dogs
“What, are you her keeper now?” Eleanor said with a scornful smile, wiping spilled wine from her
collarbone.
“My apologues,” Roland murmured, eyes downcast. “I hadn’t noticed.
hadn’t noticed?” She stepped closer, her breath brushing his jaw “Or did you just not want to:
Caught off guard by her nearness, Roland’s throat bobbed once before he stepped back. “You’ve had
too much to drink, my lady
Don’t worry
Eleanor said with a brinle smile “Once I’m married, you can follow Cecily around
all you want
Bot her words were drowned out by a sudden, piercing screami
A part of adult wolves had just been wheeled in, snarling and pacing inside a heavy iron cage
“Tonight’s entertainment” the announcer shouted, excitement crackling in his voice “Black Gale
versus Red Flame place your bets
Eleanor frowned
The Silver Chalice Inn attracted all kinds
thieves, gamblers, drunks
and brawls like this weren’t
unheard of Still, slie’d always hated the cruelty of it
Just as she turned to leave, a loud metallic groan tore through the room
The cage lock had given way
Everything happened in an instant
The larger wolf burst through the gate, lunging straight at the nearest crowd
Screams erupted. In the chaos, Eleanor saw Roland react instantly without hesitation, he spun
around and threw himself in front of Cecily, shielding her as he pushed her toward the door
And Eleanor-
She stood closest to the wolf
Close enough to see the saliva clinging to its bloodstained fangs
“Ah-
Agony tore through her leg before she could move
The beast’s teeth sank deep into her calf, ripping flesh and fabric in one horrifying jerk Blood gushed from the wound as she collapsed, helpless, onto the floor. She barely registered the woll circling back for another attack
Then
Bang!
A sword pierced through the dir with deafening force.
The gray wolf dropped dead at her feer
The last thing” she saw before shipping into unconsciousness was Roland sword in band, still garding Cecily
The scent of medicine was overwhelming
Fleanor came to with a jolt of pain that shot up het leg like fire Every breath seemed to tog at the
wound
She turned her head-slowly, painfully-and the sight that greeted her was worse than any
nightmare
Cecily was curled up in Roland’s armis, sobbing softly
“You’re her guard, Roland, you’re supposed to protect Eleanor It’s all my fault. I never should’ve
Come she whimpered
Roland’s long fingers gently patted her back, his voice unrecognizably soft. “You’ve done nothing
wrong, my lady
“If I had to choose again,” he said after a pause, brushing away the tears on her face, “I would still protect you first
“Why Cecily looked up at him, eyes shimmering with tears.
Roland met her gaze. His voice was low, eyes dark with feeling
“Because Llo
