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"Who do you consider Dena Nehele’s people?" the Warlord Prince asked

The effort he wasto keep his voice neutral told her how important her ansas to him

"Everyone who lives within the borders of this Territory," Cassidy replied "Landens as well as Blood"

"What about the Shalador people?"

"Now is not the time for that, Ranon," Theran snapped

"Then when is the time, Grayhaven?" Ranon snapped back

"Who are the Shalador people?" Cassidy asked

"What’s left of a race who caer exists We live on reserves in the southern part of Dena Nehele, land that was granted to us by the Gray Lady" Ranon gave Theran a hostile look "Land that’s been trimmed by the hand of every Queen who has ruled since Lia until there’s barely enough farh healthy woodland to supply the gaain, shifting into a fighting stance

"Prince Theran is right," Cassidy said as Ranon also shifted into a fighting stance The odds were against Opal being able to win a fight with Green, but Warlord Princes who served in the saht "Now is not the time"

She saw bitterness in Ranon’s eyes, but she pushed on "What you have said deservesBut ill discuss the concerns of your people, as well as the other people who live in Dena Nehele"

Hers She saw it in his eyes as he relaxed a little and stepped back froe Even if he’d hated her answer, he would have served in her court It would have da inside him, but he would have served

Five more Warlord Princes made their way to the front of the room to stand before the platfor with them as she’d felt with Ranon, but it was there For the first ti lives in her hands

She stepped back to the center of the platform As Theran announced each man, he came up on the platform, knelt before her, and said, "Your will is my life Take what you need"

Surrender Loyalty At least for the next year

Theran had knelt before her and said those words with Prince Sadi and the High Lord as witnesses He hadn’t ht

But Ranon and the other five Warlord Princes did mean the words--and the fact that they did mean the words terrified them

Scared her too

When the chosen stood at the back of the platfor to be considered for the First Circle?"

He looked at the re the men who are here?"

"I don’t think they’re best suited for this First Circle," Cassidy replied quietly "I would like tofurther decisions But I need some air and some time to think We’ll reconvene in two hours"

"May I re so ry "You need twelve to foret any of them back"

"I’o for walkies now You can mark the trees Human males do that sometimes And I will teach you how to play fetch

Vae leaped fro in theto do without Craft She disappeared for afaces as she began herding the one as he’d wanted, and by turning the Warlord Princes away, she was taking the risk of not being able to form a court If she couldn’t form a court, whatever favors he had called in would have been wasted, so she couldn’t bla upset

Ranon, on the other hand, looked more relaxed as he came up to stand on her left side Baffled, but more relaxed

"She’s a relentless little bitch, isn’t she?" Ranon asked, tipping his head to indicate Vae

The knot in Cassidy’s sto because they couldn’t figure out how not to obey the dog That, at least, felt like home

She smiled at Ranon "Of course She’s a Sceltie"

CHAPTER 11

TERREILLE

Gray pressed hi shed, his li, as if his body were still trying to outrun the nightht

There was a Queen at Grayhaven He could feel her presence, even out here She would be living in that suite of roos

His back htened in response to his fear, threatening to spasm and leave hi for him

I’m Grayhaven I’m Grayhaven!