Warmth reached me first, followed by the smell of burning cedar and old parchment.
I opened my eyes in a large bed under a fur blanket. A cedar fire burned across the room, and bookshelves covered the stone walls from floor to ceiling.
I sat up too quickly and reached for my neck. The bleeding wound had closed. Smooth skin covered the place where the false mark had been.
The oak door opened. Firelight caught silver streaks in the dark hair of the man carrying a mug and a bowl of broth. His storm-grey eyes identified him before the royal crest did.
Wolf King Valerius kept his power close. I could feel its weight, but none of it pressed against me.
"You are safe here." He set the tray beside the bed and stepped back. "My patrol found you outside the city gates. You have slept for two da
