Snow still clung to the peaks above Innsbruck, but within the vaulted hall of the Frauenstift, warmth radiated from more than just the braziers.
Golden light spilled across marble floors, reflecting off icons of Saint Notburgam patroness of Tyrol's poor and peasantry, whose carved likeness looked down upon the gathering of noblewomen.
This was no frivolous salon.
This was the convocation of the Order of Saint Notburga, the sister to Bruno's martial brotherhood, and its Grand Mistress, Heidi von Zehntner, presided with quiet authority.
Her gown was simple for a princess, pale gules silk without excessive jewels, but a silver lily brooch gleamed at her breast, the badge of her Order.
At her side sat her daughters, Eva and Elsa, poised like swans; and Sophie von Hohenburg, married into the Zehntner line, with the grace of a woman born to crown and tragedy.
