Wild Berry Meadow Tell everybody I'm on my way

The girl rankled under his scrutiny, his muted pity, yet couldn’t understand why. She had also hated the name for a time, as it was given to her as an insult. But it was hers now. It belonged to her. And anything that belonged to her was surely above reproach.

They didn’t, she sniped, defensive despite agreeing with him. They said it was because I annoyed them, just like a dry pine needle stuck between their pads. Her tail lashed at the memory. Eyes squinted, recalling something painful. But now I like this name. Es mía. I want to be the needle in the paw. It means no one can forget I’m there.

Needle lifted her chin again, pride intact. There was absolutely nothing wrong with aspiring to become a bitter annoyance. Especially to those who wronged her.

It was a good thing for everyone that she did not think herself physically capable of murder.

Stark, he said, melancholic.

Prince Stark Haelvyr.

Prince? She was incredulous, one brow arched high as she stared up at him. I think your imagination’s got the better of you. Princes are just for stories.