by Crown and Shadow

The Proposition

The Lady Iselle of Verren is summoned to the Lesser Chamber at the ninth Hour and offered a proposition that is also, beneath it, a trap. The King requires her marriage to a man she cannot refuse. Prince Aren is in the room and does not look at her, which tells her everything that matters about what comes next. Eight chapters of letters, staircases, and the small wars fought beneath Court manners.