In both of Fiona's previous and present lives , Roxanne's mounted archery lagged behind her refined command of etiquette and music . Even so , during the same examination in Fiona's previous life , Roxanne had seized the top mark among every young woman present . Fiona considered it only fair - Roxanne was diligent , bright , and deserved her laurels . In fact , Fiona had chosen her as a quiet benchmark of excellence . On the ride back toward the estate , Naomi could no longer contain herself . She leaned forward in the carriage and flashed Soren a practiced smile . " Soren , if I place within the highest tier in archery , will you let me have Tempest ? " Tempest had been captured the previous year when Soren campaigned with Alexander in Broadmoor . The blood - red stallion , fierce and untamed , had nearly killed three handlers before Soren personally broke him in . Soren's answer remained cool . " That depends on how well you actually do . " Naomi accepted the conditional promise as an outright yes , and her grin stretched dangerously close to her ears . " By the way , Fiona asked me to say that if she happened to offend you during the autumn hunt , she hopes you'll be generous ." Soren offered no reply . He had never intended to press the matter ; Fiona's minor transgressions against him were , by then , almost routine . Naomi lowered her voice as though sharing state secrets . " I've been thinking , Fiona is actually quite lovely . Why not introduce her to Callum ? " She truly did like Fiona . Soren's brows knit together . " You're not even of age yet , and already your head is full of matchmaking ? " Chastened , Naomi clamped her lips shut . Yet inwardly , she remained convinced that Callum would appreciate a woman like Fiona - skilled in mounted archery , exactly his type . Only a few days earlier , when she had been gossiping with her maid about Fiona's stunning ride during the autumn hunt , Callum had , for once , stayed and listened until the story ended . That was remarkable , considering how utterly indifferent he normally acted toward anything involving young ladies . 1/3 14:41 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 24 Autumn Archery Scores : 59 +20 Free Coins That night , however , it was Soren who found his thoughts drifting . He slipped into sleep and tumbled straight into the strangest dream . In the dream , a woman had moved into Radiant Lodge - the private courtyard he guarded so jealously . Soren never entered , yet he knew her every movement with impossible clarity . Sometimes she sat at the threshold , reading beneath the lantern light . Sometimes she stitched delicate embroidery . Sometimes she knelt among the flowers , pruning with patient fingers . She was neither intimate nor distant - a presence balanced on the edge of familiarity . With cheerful audacity , she claimed every corner , setting down curious knick - knacks until the once - pristine lodge was utterly transformed . He had never once allowed anger to cloud his features . Instead , he surrendered the master bedchamber to her and withdrew to the study , bedding down on a narrow chaise amid the glow of a single oil lamp and the scent of parchment and ink . Then , one evening , she pushed open the study doors . In her hands rested Glowstrike - the famed bow once wielded by General Sentor , a relic every ambitious man in the realm would have begged to touch . She stood bathed in lamplight , beauty so striking it felt unreal - skin like fresh cream , lips a bloom of early - spring peach , eyes brimming with warmth . In that moment , she resembled an older , more self - possessed version of Fiona . " Before my wedding , countless men tried to coax Glowstrike from me , " she said , voice a silken lilt . " But it was part of my dowry , and I will give it only to my husband ." He met her gaze in silence , the flicker of the candle mirrored in his eyes , revealing thoughts he dared not speak . " It will not be a gift without price , " she added , cheeks igniting as she bit her lower lip . " From tonight on , my husband must return to the rear courtyard . We have been wed for three months . I do not wish to spend another night alone . " The invitation was bold , almost brazen , yet her lowered lashes and shy smile softened it to a plea so alluring that even a heart forged of iron would have crumbled . Soren jolted awake , pressing fingertips to his temples to chase away the remnants of the dream . The night air was icy , yet a restless heat pulsed deep in his abdomen , as though the dream still clung to his skin . Days later , when Penelope casually mentioned Fiona , Soren's hand paused - barely perceptible 2/3 14:41 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 24 Autumn Archery Scores -halfway through lifting his cup . That dream was absurd , nothing more . 59 +20 Free Coins " They say the top score in this year's archery trials went to Ms. Fiona , " Penelope remarked , a thread of disbelief woven through her words . Soren showed no surprise . He had read the results the previous day . Roxanne placed second , Naomi third - only those three achieved the highest ranking . " Old Mrs. Niven has asked me to accompany her to Frostenden Temple tomorrow ," Penelope continued , brows knitting . " I cannot help wondering if her purpose is what I suspect ." The thought left Penelope rubbing her own forehead . Every mother wanted her daughter well matched , yet aiming for the Zonfrillo heir felt like slighting the Niven family . " If you sense trouble , Mother , simply decline , " Soren said without lifting his head . " The palace watches your every move . A formal marriage may take time , so perhaps we should arrange two personal attendants for you , " Penelope suggested . " A man your age should not live entirely alone . " " I leave for Broadmoor after the New Year ," Soren answered . " Please spare yourself the worry . The current climate leaves me no energy for such matters . " Penelope knew his resolve when she heard it . He was never one to chase idle pleasures , and she could only let the idea drop . Meanwhile , the Niven Estate buzzed beneath the glow of Fiona's first - place victory in archery . Even Fiona herself had not dared dream of such a ranking , her swollen wrist - still tender after half a month - felt gloriously worth the pain at that moment . Meryl's joy overflowed . She showered every servant and page in the courtyard with rewards , then penned letters to Zachary , Vincent , and Helen , eager to trumpet the news to all corners of their world . 3/3