Dutiful.

Diligent.

Meek.

Vilya knew well what was expected of a daughter of Yarrow. To keep her eyes lowered, her words soft, her hands committed in their work. And if it meant keeping their father appeased and her sister safe, then it was worth each swallowed word, each night spent in the too-low light fulfilling orders to fill her father’s purse.

She thought her course was steady. Simple.

Until their once-sequestered city is opened to outsiders. Until an alliance is sought, with the promise of...