The Healer Bride: Awakening the Ruined Dragon King novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: The Debt

Lord Perrin Ashgrove stood in the long hall in his mud-stained riding coat and did not sit when he was asked.

The steward had set a breakfast out, because it was past dawn and the whole household had come down at the horn.

Edmund was there, and Linden, still in her night shawl.

The lord from Thornhall sat at the far end with a pen and a small book, since the Queen Mother had gone back to the capital and left him to watch.

The king took his chair at the head of the table.

Sorrel sat at his right hand.

"I rode all night," her father said. "I came to take you home."

"I am home, Father."

"Sorrel, you don't understand what you are..." He stopped and started again. "You have no idea what this man is. They say he burned..."

"Lord Ashgrove." The king's voice was level. "Say what you came to say, in front of the people who should hear it."

Her father's face worked.

He looked at the king, at the lord with the pen, and at the prince, who was studying his bread.

"I owed money," he said.

Nobody spoke.

"Six years ago. The harvest failed two winters running, and I borrowed against the Hall. When the note came due, I could not pay it." He swallowed. "The Queen Mother held it."

"Father," Sorrel said.

"She came to the farm herself. She was very kind. She said there was a way out, and she said it would be a good match for you."

"What was the way out?"

"Your hand," her father said. "For Edmund. At eighteen. The debt was forgiven the day you were betrothed."

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