Page 14 (1/2)
Saetan leaned back, steepled his fingers, and rested his forefingers against his chin "Because you don’t have any manners That’s one of the reasons you’re here You want so your people don’t remember The inspections aren’t to test you; they’re to appease the Warlord Princes fro to that caste, you shouldn’t be so dismissive of the power and temper that could land on your doorstep with the intention to kill As for the Queen’s weekly reports, those, too, are to offer reassurance and are in place of having ar with her in Dena Nehele" He paused "I should say ar sufficient escorts for her protection is your responsibility Gathering the men and women ill for the Queen’s physical and e is also your responsibility"
Theran felt the blood drain fro with Talon, by hiding in the mountains so the pet Queens couldn’t control the last male in the Grayhaven bloodline, he’d escaped that kind of service
"Assess your skills, Prince," Saetan said "You will be one of the le that serves the Queen most intimately"
"Consort?" Theran choked on the word "You expect hed, and the undercurrent of violence in the soundpresu to tolerate an assuht to the Queen’s bed"
"Then what?"
"First Escort," Saetan said "Same duties for the most part, up until you reach the bedroom door As First Escort, you don’t cross the threshold You don’t serve in bed However, if being First Escort isn’t a service you can perfor the other males in the First Circle will accept you in one of those positions"
Relief shuddered through hio back with you and rule your people, you will be held responsible for her care,Theran Make no , you will answer to Kaeleer Make no mistake about that either The Warlord Princes here may sympathize hat you want to do for your Territory Theyto help But if they think you’rea Queen who comes from the Shadow Realm, they won’t hesitate to destroy you and your people They ipe you out of existence hly than Dorothea ever could Do we understand one another?"
He had to s to get his heart out of his throat "Yes, High Lord We understand one another"
"I’one to talk to a Queen whoyour people She’ll be back for dinner Since you have the tiest--" Saetan frowned at the door
Theran turned his head to catch the sound Yes, there it was again So at the door
Saetan raised one hand The study door swung open, and a s trotted into the roo Always liked theue caht have alerted the could also have revealed the location of the cah for a casual pat, but it did see why the High Lord sounded cautious, Theran looked at the dog old chain and
His heart gave one hard buht so, but it was just an a it look like the dog wore a Jewel
"Why don’t you and Lady Vae walk down to the village?" Saetan said "Since the people in Halaway live by the Old Ways, spending a few hours there would give you a good idea of ould be expected from your people"
Walkies? I like walkies!
The voice sounded like a young girl’s, but he didn’t actually hear it It rang inside his head, just outside his inner barriers, as if someone had co in the rooh Lord was
He does not talk? He is not trained?
"His training has just started" Saetan’s mouth curved in a maliciously amused smile "Lady Vae is a kindred Sceltie A Purple Dusk witch"
Theran felt the blood draining out of his head "Kindred? Witch?" That Jewel he’d seen was real? This dog was the saht Jewel?
"Yes," Saetan crooned "I think Vae will be the perfect escort for you"
He is male and foolish I will protect hi else you wanted to discuss right now, Prince Theran?"
He knew a diss felt like overstretched taffy and it took hiet out of the chair He vanished the paper with the conditions his people would have to agree to, and as he walked toward the door, he realized the dog aiting for hih doors,Vae said I know , so I ait for you to open the door
As he stepped into the great hall and the study door closed behind hih
Cassidy stared at Jaenelle Angelline, then looked at her cousin Aaron, as pacing the length of the sitting roo," Cassidy said "This is a joke"
"I wish it were," Aaron growled "But she’s serious"
"You can’t be serious!"