Page 43 (1/2)

"I notice you do that with your left hand," Conner said "Just as you prefer to use a fork or write your letters Can you do it with your right?"

I tossed the coin to ility

"And can you write and eat with the right hand as well?"

"When I was young,He didn’t want me to appear different in that way I was out of practice before but have re here"

Conner walked toward his office "Sage, I will speak with you in private"

It was an order, not a request, and I followed him into his office, where he shut the door behind me

"You don’t have to lie for the rest of your life" There was a desperation in Conner’s eyes I’d never seen before "There is another way"

"Oh?"

"Claim the throne now as Prince Jaron Be hith of tin the throne to anyone you want You may leave and return to a private life, albeit one of wealth and luxury"

"What are you asking, sir?" I knew, but I wanted to e I’m convinced now that it can only be you"

"What about Roden?"

"Prince Jaron was famous for his ability to roll a coin over his knuckles As I’ve rehearsed this plan in ht ask in accepting or rejecting you I considered qualities of his personality and what ed Jaron was trained throughout his childhood in the royal tradition, so my choice would have to display so as well But until I saw you there, I forgot that this coin roll was an occasional habit of his, a parlor trick, but one few others could do as well Sooner or later, the regents would expect to see the prince do that"

I sat down in one of the chairs and crossed one leg over the other "Roden can be taught to do it"

"Not in time, and not as well as that He’d look like he’d just been taught Sage, you ht away, admittedly partially because I kne desperate Conner was for my response Finally, I looked back at him "No"

Conner exploded "What? Has this all been a gaet this far and then reject ht while ere in the tunnels Veldergrath’s ht? So and queen and Prince Darius They’ll kill me too, eventually I don’t want power or wealth, Conner I want to stay alive"

"Veldergrath won’t dare harh chamberlain, Lord Kerwyn, accepts you as Prince Jaron, then Veldergrath will too As for the royal family, you don’t have to worry about the same threat"

"Why not?"

"They were killed for political reasons If you use different politics, there will be no motive"

My eyes narrowed "How do you know that, Conner? Do you knoho killed them?"

"Is that an accusation?" he boo to keep his teardless of who killed them, I knoho their eneuarantee your safety on the throne, Sage And I’ll guarantee your death here if you refuse me"