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Saetan srown tired of this room Perhaps it’s time to remind Hell who rules"

"You mean who rules in proxy," Titian said with a predatory sood you’re concerned, High Lord," she acknowledged reluctantly "It’s good she has so strong a protector She’s fearless, our Sister It’s wise to teach her caution But don’t be deceived The children knohat she is She’s as s to Blood, and all of Kaeleer is slowly turning to ele dark star"

"How do you know about the children?" Saetan asked suspiciously

"I told you I’m Gabrielle’s kinswoman"

"You’re dead, Titian The de They don’t interfere with the concerns of the living Realh Lord? You and your faed "Besides, the Dea al Mon aren’t squeaht of the Dark Real Sister doesn’t see and the dead"

Saetan stiffened "You think knowing me has confused her?"

Titian shook her head "No, the confusion was there before she ever knew of Hell orbefore she begins to walk the borders of the Twisted Kingdom?"

"There’s no reason to assuhtly

"No? She will follow that strange road wherever it leads her What makes you think a child who sees no difference between the living and the dead will see a difference between sanity and the Twisted Kingdom?"

"NO!" Saetan leaped out of his chair and went to stand before the fire He tried to suppress the thought of Jaenelle sliding into madness, unable to cope hat she was, but the anxiety rolled from him in waves No one else in the history of the Blood had worn the Black as a Birthright Jewel No one else had had to shoulder the responsibility--and the isolation--that was part of the price of wearing so dark a Jewel at so young an age

And he knew she had already seen things a child shouldn’t see He had seen the secrets and shadows in her eyes

"Is there no one in Terreille you can trust to watch over her?"

Saetan let out a pained laugh "Who would you trust, Titian?"

Titian rubbed her hands nervously on her trousers

She was barely a woht with tender sadness So frail beneath all that strength As they all are

Titian licked her lips "I know a Black-Jeweled Warlord Prince who soht--"

"No," he said harshly, pride warring with fear How ironic that Titian considered Daemon a suitable protector "He’s owned by Hekatah’s puppet, Dorothea He can be made to comply"

"I don’t believe he’d harm a child"

Saetan returned to his desk "Perhaps not willingly, but pain can ly do"

Titian’s eyes widened with understanding "You don’t trust hi He’s--"

"Abreath "Yes, Titian He’s blood of my blood, seed of my loins I know hied sword capable of cutting the hand that holds him as easily as he cuts the enemy" He led her to the door "I thank you for your counsel and your concern If you hear any news, I would appreciate being informed"

She turned at the doorway and studied his to yours?"

"Lady" Saetan quietly closed the door on her and locked it Returning to his desk, he poured a glass of yarbarah and watched the s the blood wine

Daeerous Warlord Prince

Saetan drained the glass He and Daemon were a matched pair Did he really believe his na to yield to a potential lover, especially when that lover was also his son? Because he honestly couldn’t answer that question, he hesitated to give the order for Daemon’s execution

As yet there was no reason to send for Marjong the Executioner Daemon was nowhere near Chaillot and, for some reason, Jaenelle didn’t wander around Terreille as she did Kaeleer Perhaps Titian was right about Daemon, but he couldn’t take the chance His nath to destroy her

But if Daemon had to be executed to protect Jaenelle, it wouldn’t be a stranger’s hand that put hirave, He owed his son that much