By midmorning, the whole of Ashenveil knew an Alpha had come to the gate and left in shame.
Vael heard it from three different mouths before she reached the war room, each version a little larger than the last. By the time it got to her, Damon Kane had reportedly wept on his knees in the courtyard and Aria had reportedly made him crawl out the gate on his hands. Vael, who had actually been standing in the arch and seen the truth of it, found herself almost smiling at how fast a story could grow legs.
Helsa was already at the long table when Vael came in.
"You heard," Vael said.
"Everyone heard." Helsa did not look up from the letter she was reading. "Half the kitchen staff are calling her Queen Iron now. I think they mean it as praise."
"It is praise." Vael sat down across from her. "
