Chapter 5: Dinner at Thornwick

I wore my stable apron to dinner.

It was clean, and it was the only thing I owned that was mine.

Thornwick Hall sat on a hill above the Arena, a huge pile of grey stone with a hundred lit windows.

At the front door a servant held out both hands.

"No beasts at the table, miss. Lord Aldric's orders. We'll keep your companion in the warm."

Moth looked at him from my hood with deep suspicion.

"She stays with me," I said.

"I'm afraid it's the rule."

"Then I'm afraid I'll eat in the yard."

The servant gave me a pained smile and stood aside.

I should have been more careful.

The dining hall had a table long enough for forty and set for three.

Lord Aldric sat at its head with a glass of red wine, and Cassian sat on his right, sulking.

Silver candlesticks. White linen. A roasted goose in the middle, steaming.

I hadn't eaten goose in my life.

"Miss Ashdown." Aldric rose and bowed slightly, as if I were a lady. "You honor my house."

His voice was soft and warm, and it made my skin crawl.

"Lord Aldric."

"Please. Sit. Eat."

I sat across from Cassian, who didn't look at me.

Aldric carved the goose himself and laid a slice on my plate.

"I owe you an apology," he said. "My son's behavior at registration was shameful. You saved a child's life, and he had you seized."

"I accept it," I said. "He should make it himself."

Cassian's jaw flexed.

"I'm sorry," he said to the candles.

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