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"I’m only surprised they didn’t cut the boy’s throat while he slept"

"They feel there’s no need for subterfuge, that he’s too weak to handle the enough to kill the man who killed Vlad deserves our respect But I think their refusal to launch a sneak attack is based ation witness the new king’s defeat Such confidence is foolish, I think, and they deserve what they get"

"And don’t forget the wolves The elite wanted to act honorably so they wouldn’t anger the wolves"

Nice, but Aden couldn’t worry about any of that now "Hello, everyone Have you noticed my presence? I’m here, and I’d appreciate it if you spoke to me rather than about me" When they nodded, shamed, he added, "Thank you Now, I’m happy to address your concerns"

"We are on your side, Majesty"

"And I’rateful Please tell e Later We’ll set dates for…teeks from now?" Hopefully by then, the witches would be taken care of and he’d have already picked out his replaceht brought a tide of anger A replaceht--aside

What are you doing? Elijah deht thele moment, that you would take your duties seriously" All of the councilavel, of course--over the tabletop "Next order"

"The use of colors," someone said with obvious displeasure "There have been complaints"

"Why did you authorize the incorporation of such…hument, but we have traditions, you see"

The councilrave "I’et" arose

"Perhaps, if we limited the use of color to personal bedcha," Aden said, a picture of Victoria in her pink tank top rising in his reed," the one with the gavel said, and then added, "done," and then he tapped that gavel over the tabletop "Next order The dating"

Another murmur arose, only this tierated As quickly as this , it wouldn’t last more than an hour

Then he heard the words "Your chosen," and stiffened

"You haven’t given the girls a sufficient chance, Majesty, yet you shared a bedrooive the others a chance" Aden gripped the edge of the table "I knohat I want Knoho I want I’ve "

"Why can’t you siested "Vlad had ood point, Ad, Caleb said You should consider--

I want to slap you, Julian uy

The ansas siirls and two, Victoria would go crazy While soht of her jealousy, he wouldn’t put her through that "I’ "I desire only one"

You’re ruining everything! Caleb sulked

"Besides, Victoria and I aren’t getting "

Anothersaid

Difficult Stubborn And yet, even while calling him names, they somehow remained respectful

He could do no less in return "Besides, I can’t have va to the ranch where I live My friends will discover the truth, and I don’t think you want that You’ve gone to great lengths to keep what you are hidden"

"We can kill your friends, then" Si all about respect "There will be no killing, and that isn’t negotiable"

More sighs "Why don’t we propose a bargain, yes? You will see the females we have chosen for you, at least once, but you will do so only while here at the mansion?"

"This es," he pointed out, trying to buy some time "True"