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“What?” Lauren didn’t knohere to begin “First of all, you can’t just rescind an invitation, Zafir That sance”

“I’ance”

Hernot to laugh She wanted to kiss hi he had intended it But she refused to be railroaded into anything, even though she was never going to discuss her ain

She sighed, realizing she had to fight his autocratic dictate for the principle of it

“Second, you can’t just decide that I won’t ever see her again Or anyone else for that matter”

“Why would you want to? It is clear that they care little for your happiness and well-being And you’re not in a condition to deal with stress like this Nor will you while I have so to say about it”

“They’re still my parents, Zafir Your father didn’t even tell you you were his son until he needed a better crown prince And yet, here you are, doing everything you can to hold Behraat together by its seams”

She thought he would get furious with her for bringing up that subject At the least, tell her she wasn’t allowed to bring it up Or withdraw

Instead, he seehtful And that he let her in just that hter

“It’s ingrained inI can to ensure Behraat’s prosperity My father needed no big gestures or promises of wealth to earn my loyalty

“He molded me into his weapon with reat orator I would attend classes during the day, train with the palace guard in the evenings, but the nightsthey had always been my favorite part of the day

“For he would summon me to his parlor when he was ready for dinner He would tell ave up everything for their nation, for their tribe, of ar into battle for freedoins to breathe those stories Begs to hear one e for one more

“To survive, he needs to believe that he’s part of soer than his concerns In the end, there’s nothing else left of hi to make the tale into reality”

A tremendous sadness filled Lauren for the boy he’d been, for the flash of raw longing she glie for the man who’d so heartlessly turned hi to hi Behraat

That he was nothing more than a tool to be used for his country That there was no reason or need for hi more