She’d believed, then, in Holland’s power. In her potential. She’d still believed, even when the king’s collar had closed around her throat. And now, he was asking her to believe again. Believe in his magic. In the magic he had given her. She had done the blood spells. Summoned ice and fire. Mended some things and broken others. Drawn doors within her world. This would be no different. It was still within her reach. She stared down at the knife, hilt against one palm, edge pressed to the other. She had her orders. And yet she hesitated.
