Chapter One: The Ashen Invitation

“The living rarely tell the truth. They say whatever best protects them.” He asked for three things: a pewter cup matching the weight of a royal goblet, moon-salt that turned purple near dragonbreath herb, and a forged order investigating the missing cask. The forgery did not need to deceive a judge. It only needed to deceive a guilty man by candlelight. Serena listened, then frowned. “You have always schemed, but never used yourself as bait.” “Before tonight, I didn’t know where the fish would strike.” “And now?” “There are two fish in the pond. Both think I am the worm.” At the door, she looked back. “If you cannot survive tomorrow, break the cup. I’ll have a carriage at the west gate. We will take Mia and leave the capital.”