As the iron sun rose over the capital, Adara was led into a dining room bathed in ashen light. It was not the glass and flower table of their home, but one of polished black stone where the aroma of bitter tea and smoked meat dominated the air.
There the core of House Valoria was waiting for her.
Lady Valerice, Karan's mother, presided over the table. He was not wearing silks, but rather a fine leather combat tunic that revealed scars on his forearms like medals of pride. To his right was Caelum the Younger, Karan's brother, who was analyzing a tactical map while eating breakfast; his eyes were a copy of Karan's, but with a spark of calculating malice. On the left, Seryna, the youngest sister, a young woman with a sharp tongue and feline movements who observed Adara as if she were an enigma to be solved.
"Sit down, little elf," said Lady Valerice. His voice was not hostile, but it had the weight of command. In this house, whoever does not eat, does not fight. And you are going to have to fight hard to earn the respect of this clan.
Adara sat elegantly, maintaining her decorum.
"I do not mean to be a burden, Lady Valerice," Adara replied softly. I only seek to understand the place that is now my home.
Caelum looked up and gave him a sly smile, one that didn't reach his eyes but brimmed with intelligence.
—Understanding is the first step to conquer, sister-in-law. But be careful: here, the walls have ears and the shadows have claws. If you want to be the General's wife, you must do much more than just understand.
Meanwhile, deep within the Frost Fortress, Karan walked alongside his father, the Supreme Immortal. The sound of his boots against the stone floor marked a martial rhythm.
"The wedding with the elves was necessary theater, Karan," the High One said coldly. But for Adara to be legitimate in our council and to bear the surname Valoria, the Blood Bond Ceremony must be held within three days. If she fails the ritual or if the council rejects her, she will be treated as a foreign concubine. And you know that House Obsidian is waiting for that ruling to take away your right to the throne.
"It won't fail," Karan replied, his jaw tense. My mother will train her. She has the nobility that many of our council lack.