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"Careful," Chaol growled

His father ignored that, too "I would rather have s an inch of Anielle’s land, let alone ask theree," said Yrene

His father let out one of those joyless laughs "I like you better than the assassin-queen, I think Perhapsthe rabble will breed some backbone into our bloodline once more"

Chaol’s blood roared in his ears, but Yrene’s lips curved into a smile "You’re exactly as I’d pictured you to be," she said His father only inclined his head

"Prepare this city, this keep," Chaol ritted teeth "Or you’ll deserve everything you bring down upon it"

CHAPTER 19

Fifteenas they entered a small yet warm bedroom One of the few cozy places in this horrible keep A bed and a half-rusted washing basin filledwater beside it

Not exactly a bedrooht the heat that warmed his cheeks

"I was disowned, reainst the shut door, their packs discarded at his feet "This bedroouest"

"I’m sure your father had it selected just for you"

"I’m sure he did"

Yrene snarled "He’s worse than you portrayed"

Chaol gave her a tired, small smile "And you were brilliant" Utterly brilliant

His father, at least, had agreed to begin the evacuations for those on the outskirts of the city, and by the time they’d made their way to this rooe If his father needed help planning it, the ht, he’d see for himself what his father had in h the frigid air, he needed to rest

And his wife, however bold and fearless, needed to rest as well, whether she ad to where Yrene paced in front of the bed "I’m sorry for what he said to you"

She waved hier than that conversation"

Her te over this city, warh so that Chaol closed the distance between the her hand He brushed his thu her instead--my mother," he said softly

The fierceness in her eyes banked "I do, too" Her h I’h to send them away at a whisper of a threat"

"They’re assets to hiood part of the trove"

Yrene glanced around in doubt

"Anielle is one of the richer territories in Adarlan, despite what this keep suggests" He kissed her knuckles, her ring "There are chambers full of treasure in the catacombs Gold, jewels, ardom is down there"

Yrene let out an impressed hu more healers than the fifty we selected" Hafiza would remain with the foot soldiers and cavalry, but Eretia, her second-in-coroup, Yrene included