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"I’m surprised he trusted you," Isabel said

"He didn’t But h he didn’t have any He let me take care of Rokan and overnesses, sadistic guards Rokan was so small and helpless" For a second Clarisse’sreal on her face "My little brother I used the ic I learned to protect him"

And then the Shifter had come, and Rokan hadn’t needed her protection anyht in Clarisse’s eyes at the coronation, when the Shifter had stood back and let Rokan be taken

She wasn’t the Shifter any her with that banked hatred in her eyes Still afraid that Rokan would put her first? Isabel skittered around that thought, focusing instead on the implications of Clarisse’s revelation

"So it all came from you," she said slowly "The trans-location spells Rokan’s sword at the coronation The poison that disappeared frooblet The knives--"

And the one other piece of untraceableShe saw by the expression on Clarisse’s face that the princess knew she had figured it out

"You," she said, too stunned to be angry "You killed Ven"

Clarisse started to step backward, but stopped in mid-motion and lifted her chin "Who did you think it was? Rokan never realized how dangerous you could be I did, from the start, but of course no one would listen to me That stupid boy told you the truth about the bracelet, and he was about to tell you the truth about Kaer He would have turned you against us"

"I already knew about Kaer" Isabel shook her head, re how she had forced Ven to answer her "You killed hi"

"I didn’t know that But I knehat you were capable of I had to protect him"

"Protect yourself"

Clarisse pulled her shoulders back, ready to attack--an attack that, for the first time since Isabel’s arrival, would not be coic openly now, and Isabel was--al stance and hoped Clarisse didn’t realize that

But ClarisseIsabel to wonder whether she had been planning to attack at all Her sed, and her voice was almost calm "What difference does it make?"

"It will make a difference" The sound of her own voice--low, steely, icy--was alien to Isabel "I’ time I knohat you did, and I am very patient" She stepped forward, and Clarisse stepped back But still the princess’s expression didn’t change "If you’re smart, Clarisse, you’ll leave now, and ain"

Clarisse smiled, a real smile, and tossed her hair back "But I’ve never been that kind of sazes and raised one eyebrow "And I’ out of trouble"

"Have it your way"

"I usually do"

"Back e first met," Isabel said, "you said that you always do"

Clarisse walked past her, opened the door, and stepped into the hall Isabel watched her go, and stood for a long tiain

Rokan ca Isabel, who stillup in bed wearing the green and white riding outfit he had given her the first time he saw her

He took a small step into her room, then another; he stopped and opened his mouth His eyes locked on hers, half-afraid but deter outfit, his expression reminded her of the day they had ical creature who ht be his death

He crossed the room in a few sudden, decisive strides and pulled himself up on the foot of the bed, a few feet away fro"

She kept her back straight,about what?"