The Luna Queen's Rebirth novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Equal Rule

We did not talk about the gold thread again that morning.

Rhydian pulled his sleeve over his wrist and I pulled my cuff over mine.

"Law," he said, tying his boots. "There's got to be a law."

"There's always a law," I said.

"I'll ask the archivist at Stonehold."

"You do that."

We left it there, because a rider was pounding on the door.

He was one of Rhydian's scouts, grey with dust, and he saluted with his whole arm.

"My lord. The Hare and Lantern, as the lady said."

He caught his breath.

"The steward of Aldermere, a rogue with a copper thumb ring, and a purse that changed hands."

He saluted again.

"Our man sat in the corner by the well."

Eirik looked at me over his porridge with open respect.

"You may be a witch," he said, "but I like you."

We reached Stonehold at dusk.

It was a black fortress built into the mountain, with torches burning along the walls and a hall large enough to stable cavalry.

Thirty lords of Hollowmark sat at the long tables when we walked in.

They were big, weathered men with grey in their beards, and every one of them stopped chewing.

"My lords," said Rhydian. "This is Seraphine Greywater, my wife."

A long silence passed down the hall.

"The Luna-elect of Aldermere," said a heavy man with a scarred cheek.

He was the lord of the Eastern Marches, and his voice was cold.

"The woman who walked out of her own Rite."

"The same."

"And you brought her here."

"I married her."

"By Moon Court rite?"

"At the river stone," said Rhydian. "With a witness."

"Then she is a wife." The lord set his cup down. "That does not make her a ruler."

"By the contract, it does."

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