Liam paused in his studies. “You will break Pellinor’s heart, you do realize that.”
I stopped then, sword mid-swing, and turned to the boy, surprised at his astute interjection. He was gazing at her with a strange combination of infatuation and concern for his father’s master.
Isolde, for her part, appeared shaken, a tiny line of worry marring the space between her eyes. She bit her lower lip as if the thought hadn’t crossed her mind. “I know,” she finally responded in a small voice. She swallowed hard. “It pains me to betray him so, but I cannot let years of injustice go unpunished.” She looked up at Liam, eyes seeking his approval—or maybe it was his forgiveness she wanted. “I put no one in danger by what I am planning to do. I could easily wage war, but instead I chose a more subtle f
