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Cagney, urged on by Lady Bellona, has already taken a step forward, her sharp, pretty face riven with rage I just need to hurt her strong cousin Cassius a little more But Ilares darkly at Augustus, then peers around the assembly

"No Bellona shall interfere On ree She ain raises a hand "Hold!" she calls "Hold, Andromedus!"

I’m actually stunned by the interruption

All look to the Sovereign’s dais Cassius pants for breath She can’t be so stupid Can she? The interruption confirn reveals her favoritisustuses on Mars Cassius would have been important to that plan Now, because of herto be squabbed Still, I had no idea she’d do as she’s about to do It is so stupid So shortsighted Her pride has made her a fool

"There has been an addenduive the custo," she declares, glancing at Cassius’s mother "Those are the limits to the duel So many of our prized children are lost at our schools No need to waste these two priustus calls, greedy for his bloody prize, "the law is clear Once a contest is declared, the rules may not be altered by man or wo from you, Nero"

There are snickers froing the Institute for the Jackal are very much in fashion

"My Sovereign, we stand with Augustus in this matter," booms a voice Daxo au Telemanus steps forward Pax’s elder brother, tall as reat boulder of a raved with Golden angels A reat swirling eyebrows

"Hardly a surprise," snarls Cassius’s mother

"Perfidy!" Kavax, Daxo’s father, roars He alternates stroking his forked red beard and the large pet fox he cradles in his left arm "This reeks of perfidy and favoritism My temper is slow But I find myself offended Offended!"

"Careful, Kavax," Octavia says icily, "sos cannot be unsaid"

"Why else would he say the at the families from the Gas Giants, where he knows he will find allies in this debate "But I believe he would counsel you now, e law Your father discovered this by your own hand, no?"

The Sovereign’s Furies step forward n allows herself only the strictest of s Telemanus, you fail to re you do not do A Gold may rule other Golds But declare your rule at your own peril The Sovereign has been so long on the Morning Throne that she has forgotten this Her words are not law They now becoe

One I accept with open arms