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Chapter 1

“I’ve got a secret,” Valka says, stepping up beside me. We stand at the edge of the roughly cobbled courtyard before the hall, mud sticking to our boots and our cloaks flapping in the chill spring breeze.

The last of this morning’s departing carriages rolls toward the gates. Edlyna nods regally through the carriage window at us.

“Wouldn’t you like to know it?” Valka presses.

I glance around helplessly, as if someone might appear to rescue me. But of course, Valka has timed her approach perfectly: Mother has already departed with her coterie of vassals, and my brother hasn’t bothered to come at all. There are a few other nobles who have yet to leave for their lands for the summer, including Maralinde. But, along with the rest, she’s busy packing. Unlike Valka, unfortunately.

“If it’s a secret, you shouldn’t tell anyone,” I say, shifting uneasily.

“You’re such a mouse, Alyrra.” Valka gives a sweet, tinkling little laugh. The sound of it makes my skin prickle. I’ve heard that laugh enough times now to know that what she has to share will hardly be innocent.

“Come on,” she says, sliding her arm through mine and tugging me forward. Valka may be only a year older than my own twelve, but she’s also taller than me, and prettier, with her red curls and green eyes. She carries herself with the sort of authority that leaves the rest of us bobbing in her wake. You would think she was the princess, not me.

Not that I’m some sort of a grand lady. We’re a small kingdom ringed by forested mountains, mostly ignored by our much wealthier and larger neighbors who have no need for the scanty resources our land proffers. Still, our home is a worthy wood-framed structure, with a great receiving hall and two whole wings of rooms attached, as well as a tall wooden boundary wall to protect it. Though walls can’t protect from everything.

“Do you remember how that little pest Edlyna fell off her horse last week?”

I pull to a stop, staring up at Valka. “You didn’t.”

Her green eyes glint back at me, all malicious glee. “Alyrra, dear, don’t you remember how she made such a fuss about her new boots, right after I had my own commissioned? As if she was so much better than me? I couldn’t let that stand. You wouldn’t either, would you? Such arrogance! What better way to put her in her place than to cut a leather strap or two and let her fall right off her horse, pretty riding boots and all?”