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All of them Because I suck

From the divan, Sabine picked up one of the maps that Lanthe had spread over every available surface “Too busy with your search to inquire after ht as rain, by the way”

Lanthe felt a twinge of guilt

“Busy or not, you won’t get rid offor wine

Powerless Sorceri servants known as Inferi promptly answered the call, then vanished once more

“Rydstrom made me promise to talk to you because he thinks I’olden goblet “So here I remain because, weirdly, I keep proana wanted od Nereus sent her a coral tube carved to look like a huhty gift card”

“Long story, ry with ana to call off her attack Fearing for your life, I went to her, trying to do just that She suggested the use of that scry crystal to evacuate you I did what I thought was right And I do believethe Vrekener outright”

Lanthe put down her pen “You want credit for that—even though you think he’s dead anyway?”

No, she couldn’t have expected Sabine to defy Morgana any ret what the queen had done, even after Lanthe had told her everything about Thronos, about all that she and the Vrekener had been through together

The pages Lanthe had written of their history had been erased from existence—just like their history had been erased from Thronos’s mind

Sabine had been shocked to discover that Lanthe truly loved hiirl But she hadn’t embraced the idea of her little sister wed to an enemy Vrekener: “Especially one who doesn’t even have a house,Lanthe want to punch her in the tit

Sabine had been ue: “She will pay dearly for that I plot for her very soul!” Sabine had also raised a fuss over the dragon gold: “I didn’t conceal your necklace froana just so you can throw it ailly-nilly! Let me handle Bettina I know her pressure points Consider their declaration of war null and void”

In an attempt to distract Lanthe from her search, Sabine had invited Cadeon and his family to stay for a feeeks Lanthe had paused only to press a kiss on each babe’s downy head, greet their parents, and ask Holly if she knehere Nïx was (“No earthly idea”) So Lanthe had gotten back to work

The entire royal faone to Tornin’s library for more maps Rydstro amiably in their deep demon voices and Sith Ifrican accents With a swaddled babe in each arot a trio of fe Lanthe above, Rydstrom had motioned for Cadeon to keep it down

They shouldn’t pity her Because Lanthe was going to fix this She needed to get her husband back for old?” Sabine said now, setting away her goblet “Lanthe, you’ve spent a fortune!”

In their childhoodher, “You like old”

I do I really do “As if you wouldn’t do the same for Rydstrom”

“But Thronos is a Vrekener They’re despicable!”

“Those areabout!” Lanthe could call the, but if anyone else did

“I insult our age-old foes, and your eyes glie? Up is down, down is up”

“Just leave, Sabine I don’t have ti me out, when I have in my possession a letter from Thronos to Rydstrom, sent before the collapse of the Territories?”

Lanthe’s eyes ide “Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“We’ve only just learned of it today, because I allegedly ordered the Vrekener ated—in defiance of Lore law Which allegedly delayed the letter a bit” She tugged a folded sheet of parchies Based on the information I had, I was desperate to find you”

“Open it!”

When Sabine patted the divan beside her, Lanthe nearly tripped on her feet to join her there “You haven’t read it?”

“No Rydstroether”

Lanthe saw Thronos’s handwriting and seal, and tears welled She didn’t trust her voice, so she circled her hand in the air, come on, co it “I wonder how your Vrekener will respond Rydstroine what this rebuttal will contain” Finally Sabine held up the letter, and together they read:

King Rydstroer Who the hell are you to advise me on how to treat my beloved wife? To make her happy?

Beloved wife? Lanthe’s tears spilled down her face,Sabine roll her eyes They read on

I think you and Queen Sabine have a mistaken impression of Melanthe’s life in the Territories

She roadom freely, fully earold, of which I plan to provide her ever s because I allow her to, or because she des are in our life

We co-rule our kingdoave a sob

“Thronos truly understands about the gold?”

“He m-met Mother when he was a boy He understands the importance”

Sabine didn’t look surprised, but then she’d long since woven an illusion over her face