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But there isn’t anyone else You are the only one who is not afraid of us, of him You have a true and just heart Help him, for my sake if not his

Elle clutched her crutches until the wood creaked in protest "Blast!" she said, sta at the portrait before growling at E your dolt of a prince But I’ll not take the blanores lee Thank you, thank you my dearest friend!

Elle narrowed her eyes as thunderback toher way out of the halo of light Emele’s lamp cast

Emele reclaimed the lamp and hurried to her side You are so kind, Elle

"I arunted "But I owe you iven me If this is how you wish for me to repay you, I will try"

Emele slipped her small slate into a pocket of her dress and placed a protective arm around Elle’s shoulders

The talked back to Elle’s rooht the servants of Chanceux Chateau rejoiced in a voiceless celebration for the remainder of the storm

Chapter 6

The Invasion

Early the followingElle knocked on the door to Severin’s study

"Enter"

Elle sla aly at Severin when he looked up fro," she said

"Hn," Severin said, returning his attention to his papers

"Set the flowers right here, Oliver Thank you," Elle said as the groom set down a vase of purple irises on the bookshelf closest to the door

Oliver quit the roo that your flower gardens lasted through the temperature drop over the last few days," Elle said, affectionately stroking the vivid purple petals

Severin’s left ear flicked as he signed a docuht’s stor it up as Eing on one of the reed-like leaves that split off an iris

Severin stood and cross the roo it out of Elle’s reach "Did you need soht I would co hi the vase on his desk before sitting down again The chair groaned when his weight dropped into it

"You’re not going out to see the gardens?" Elle asked

"No"

"Oh," Elle said before sitting in a plush ar?" he said, the points of his upper fangs jutting out past his lips

"I’ down," Elle said

"Why?"