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"The time has come for me to take up my duties as the Queen of Ebon Askavi," Jaenelle said Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried throughout the chamber "The time has come for me to choose my court"

A breathless tension filled the cha slowly, steadily For days he’d been telling hiorous, that he’d never intended to serve forh, that he had experienced serving in the Dark Court at Ebon Askavi when he’d been Cassandra’s Consort

Except he hadn’t, because, in a way he couldn’t put into words, it hadn’t really been the Dark Court Not like this one

And he suddenly understood why Cassandra had withdrawn from them

Thiswas the court he had waited to serve inThis was the court he’d always craved He wanted to serve the daughter of his soul, who had finally co myth Dreams made flesh

This had beenhis drea the fire in his son’s eyes Yes, Lucivar would have craved a Queen who could th

Jaenelle’s voice pulled him back "Prince Chaosti, will you serve in the First Circle?"

Gracefully, Chaosti knelt on one knee, a fisted hand over his heart "I will serve"

Saetan frowned Hoas Chaosti going to serve in Jaenelle’s First Circle when he’d already accepted service in Gabrielle’s First Circle?

"Prince Kaelas, will you serve in the First Circle?"

"I will serve"

He became more and more puzzled as Jaenelle called out name after name Mephis, Prothvar, Aaron, Khardeen, Sceron, Jonah, Morton, Elan Ladvarian, Mistral, Smoke, Sundancer

And then he, Andulvar, and Lucivar were the onlyin him waited for her next words

"Lady Karla, will you serve in the First Circle?"

"I will serve"

Shock ripped through Saetan, quickly followed by pain so intense he didn’t think it would be possible to survive it She hadn’t forgiven hih

"Lady Moonshadoill you serve hi the First Circle?"

"I will serve"

He sed hard He couldn’t react,wouldn’t let the others see the hurt But if she was going to allow Mephis and Prothvar to serve, why not Andulvar? Why not Lucivar, who already served her?

He barely heard the other nahann, Kalush, Grezande, Sabrina, Zylona, Katrine, Astar, Ash On and on until all the witches had accepted a place in the court

Draca and Geoffrey couldn’t formally serve because they served the Keep itself If there was co that, it was a bitter brew

He could feel Lucivar tre beside him

After a moment’s silence, Jaenelle rose and walked down the three steps Her eyes narrowed as she looked at hiainst the first of his inner barriers

She pushed up her left sleeve and made a small cut in her wrist

Blood welled and ran

"Prince Lucivar Yaslana, will you serve as First Escort and Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih?"

Lucivar stared at her for a heartbeat or two, then slowly approached her "I will serve" He sank to his knees, held her left hand with his right, and placed his mouth over the wound

Absolute surrender Lifeti her blood, Lucivar surrendered every aspect of his being for all time She would rule hi--it was a lifetime--before Lucivar lifted hisdazed

Not surprising, Saetan thought Froth that flowed in her veins

"Prince Andulvar Yaslana, will you serve as Master of the Guard?"

"I will serve," Andulvar said, approaching her and sinking to his knees to accept the lifeblood

When Andulvar stepped aside, Jaenelle looked at Saetan "Prince Saetan Daemon SaDiablo, will you serve as Steward of the Dark Court?"

Saetan approached slowly, searching her eyes for some clue that would tell him which answer she truly wanted Since he couldn’t ask the question aloud, he reached hesitantly for her mind "Are you sure?"

"Of course I’m sure," she replied tartly "There are times, Saetan, when you’re an idiot The only reason I waited was so that the three of you would knohat you were getting into before you agreed"