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Chapter 1—Resolutely Surrender

For a very longto understand what had apparently occurred so close to e I had been on the other side of the stables, only vaguely aware of the knights at the far end Now that I understood what they had been doing, I was shocked and horrified

The girl rolled over to her hands and knees and began to push herself up and out of the dirty straw before I gained my senses and moved to help her

“Are you hurt badly?” I asked quietly I crouched down next to her and reached out to offer assistance though I didn’t knohat I should do to help The girl reached over her shoulder and pulled her soiled dress against her chest It was badly torn and likely ruined If only I had realized as happening to her earlier…but even then, what could I have done?

“I airl’s soft voice proclaiht herself She used one hand to push her short, dark hair from her face

“My name is Lady Alexandra,” I told her I really didn’t know if h Branford kept assuring me I would be known both by name and face before the end of summer The colors of my dress made me stand out as a supporter of Silverhelm, not as its future queen “I am Prince Branford’s wife If you tell me what happened, maybe I can help”

The girl’s eyes ith terror as she scraht She shook her head and started begging me

“No, no—please, my lady! Do not speak of it!” She pushed herself up onto her feet as chaff rained down fro for her arm to steady her as she swayed “I aet Lord Leland’s horse now”

Lord Leland Undoubtedly, this was Sir Leland, the knight Branford had ht who had bested Branford in the joust He ht who stayed after the others had left I re to stay away from him

“You cannot possibly—” I didn’t get my sentence out before I heard my name called from the other end of the stables

“Alexandra!” Ida stood near Ro up and over the wall She looked fro me out

“Over here, Ida!” I called back and waved athered up her skirts and ca When she reached irl in the stall and then faced me with a look of concern in her eyes

“I was stopped by Lady Sawyer,” Ida said “I realize you have only et her to end a sentence What happened?”

“There were sohts here…” I started to say

“Please, ed She reached out as if to take my hand “I do not want to start any trouble”

“Trouble?” I asked “You have done nothing wrong”

“Lord Leland bade rabbed a bit and bridle from the wall of the stall and started to walk toward the door to the barn “I should go to the farrier now”

“He was one of theher araze darted froain