But the Duke only sighed, his gaze hardening on Yueshuang once more. "You're too much like your mother, thinking you can weather any storm with a single act of courage. But the Crimson Howl Clan doesn't honor courage, Shuang'er. They devour it."
His words struck deep, and for a heartbeat, Yueshuang forgot to breathe. He was speaking the truth, the Crimson Howl clan trampled upon others completely to rise to power.
That place from the beginning has never been for the weak!
Her father looked away, candlelight glinting off the silver in his hair, his eyes turning misty. "This decision is final. You'll meet their emissaries, and you'll see the annulment through. That's an order."
Yueshuang's lips parted, but no sound came out. The world around her seemed to narrow, the glow of the lamps dimming, her mother's sigh fading, her pulse echoing in her ears.
*Annulled.*
