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Alexandra grabbed Jaenelle by the shoulder to lead her fro around and pointed a finger at him "You," she said venomously, "stay with Prince Alexander and see to Leland and Wilhel this out of jealousy He started to argue with her to take both girls ho s worse

Daemon watched Jaenelle leave the room, escorted by Alexandra, Dr Carvay, and Robert Benedict She looked so frail, so vulnerable He would talk to her again once Wilhelmina was home, take her by force to Cassandra’s Altar if that’s what he had to do Saetan had to have enough influence over her to keep her away froot her away fro her

By the tih for Daeotten Wilhel ineffectually at her dress With a low snarl, Daemon turned her around, settled the dress back over her shoulders, and deftly buttoned up the back Her eyes had a glazed, drugged look, and she was shaking, more from fear than cold

"Wilhel hold of her ar her arms at hi Philip aside, Daeers twice in quick succession Once her eyes focused on his hand, he raised it slowly until it was level with his face Then he lowered his hand and held it out to her "Come, Lady Benedict," he said in a respectful, formal voice "Prince Alexander and I will escort you ho her time to decide whether or not to accept it When she finally did, she threw herself against hi her other arm around his waist

In the end, despite Philip’s glaring at hirasp and carried her downstairs to the waiting carriage and home, where, he fervently hoped, there would be someone ould take care of her

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

1--Terreille

As she paced around her bedroo she wore on her right hand She had done what she had to do The girl was obviously out of control Dr Carvay said Jaenelle had probably been under undue strain for a while, but this last episode--threatening members of Chaillot’s council with a broken bottle and speaking gibberish!

Alexandra knehere to place the blame She hadn’t wanted to believe Robert’s hints, hadn’t wanted to believe Sadi’s interest in the girls was less than innocent, hadn’t wanted to believe he ht actually havewith Jaenelle! With all the perverse things Sadi was capable of doing, was it any wonder that Jaenelle had mistaken the intent of the men who had taken Wilhel in her first taste of sparkling wine? But to threaten the council, to put them all at risk while Lord Kartane was there and would no doubt send this tale winging back to Hayll! Of course Hayll’s High Priestess would be only too happy to send additional assistance, until Chaillot becas

Sadi She would have to send him back to--

Alexandra’s bedroom door clicked as the lock slipped back into place She whirled, her right hand raised, but before she could use the controlling ring she lay sprawled on the floor, one side of her face ablaze fro herself into a sitting position, Alexandra stared at Daeainst the door

"My dear," he said in a gentle voice so full of e it terrified her worse than the ain, I’ll decorate the walls with your brains"

"If I use the Ring--"

Daehed It was an eerie sound--hollow, reat deal of pain Can you?" He smiled a brutal sainst mine? Your ability to withstand what I’ll do to your body--not to mention your mind--while you try to hold me off with that pathetic piece of metal?" He walked toward her "The trust wo is so misplaced Haven’t you learned that much from the stories you’ve heard about me?"

"What do you want?" Alexandra tried to scoot backward, but Dae her to the floor

"What I’ve wanted since I ca to get her back for ht"

"I don’t knohat--"

"You put her back in thatplace, didn’t you, Alexandra? You put her back in that nightmare"

"She’s ill!" Alexandra protested "She’s--"

"She isn’t ill," Daemon snarled "She was never ill And you know it Now you’re going to get her out of there" He set her back, I will But if I have to do it, I’ll flood the streets of Beldon Mor with blood before I’h, and you, my dear, will be one of the corpses washed into the sewer Get her out of Briarwood, Alexandra After that, you won’t have to trouble yourself with her I’ll take care of her"

"Take care of her?" Alexandra spat "You mean twist her, use her for your own perverse needs Is that why you ith her in the farthest parts of the garden? So you can fondle" Alexandra choked, but the words kept tu out "No wonder you can’t act like a man around a real woman You need to force children--"

"Before you begin accusing me, look to your own house, Lady" Dae her wrists behind her back while the other tangled in her hair, pulling her head up

"Get her out, Alexandra," he said too softly "Get her out before the sun rises"

"I can’t!" Alexandra cried "Dr Carvay is the head of Briarwood He’ll have to sign the release papers So will Robert"

"You put her in there"

"With Robert! Besides, she was so distraught, she was heavily sedated and shouldn’t beher fall to the floor

"What?" She felt weak and helpless with hi before you can bring her back here?"