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"That brings us to the o, and the charges against him will be dropped"

Araine raised an eyebrow at her tone, but she nodded "Done"

Leesha rose, returning to her rooin preparations They were ready to leave in two days, but by then, the Krasian army was at the walls, and the city in panic

CHAPTER 30

THE PRINCESS’ GUARD

334 AR WINTER

Rojer looked out fro hi at the South Gate

After months in this cursed cell, this was supposed to have been his release day Instead, the whole city was on alert, and he’d been forgotten

"Kneas too good to be true," he muttered "Gonna die in this cell"

"Nonsense," Sikvah said from the shadows above "I will protect you, husband If the walls are breached, ill be long gone before they reach the cathedral"

Rojer did not look at her He seldom even tried now Sikvah was seen when she wished it, and no other ti horror as colureat rock slingers into position

"Did you know this was going to happen?" Rojer asked

"No, husband," Sikvah said "By Everam and my hope of Heaven, I did not I was privy to many of the secrets of the Deliverer’s Palace before ed, but never did I hear of any plans to expand beyond the borders of Everam’s Bounty in the near future Evera to Everam’s will Wisdom dictated we stay there half a decade, at least"

"And then resume conquest" Rojer spat from the to

"This is not news, husband," Sikvah said "My blessed uncle never hid his path from you Sharak Sun must unite all peoples, for Sharak Ka to be won"

"Demonshit," Rojer said "Why? Because soan

"Is a ripping book!" Rojer snapped "I don’t know if there’s a Creator or not, but I know He didn’t come down from Heaven and write any books Books are written by men, and men are weak, stupid, and corrupt"

Sikvah did not respond i she believed, and he could sense her tension, her desire to argue, warring with her sacred vow to be a subardless," Sikvah said after a est blood clailories to his name No doubt he strives to prove himself to our people so they will accept him in my blessed uncle’s absence"