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It had just dawned on her Nobut Sheol and Xibalba until the day she died
“I’m sorry Ultimately I’m the reason you’re here And I wouldn’t have chosen this for you”
“Well, you didn’t choose it either You only came because of me—and thatsoe and have some kids someday”
I nodded The human half of me had understood she would feel this way I’d used that awareness shamelessly, and by Chance’s expression, he knew But he didn’t coement of the situation He only stared at his hands
Shannon went on “I only wish there was soet word to Jesse I’ot e”
She went on to tell s I didn’t care about, like how he didn’t trust himself because he could be swayed by other people’s emotional states and how he feared he’d never fall in love for real, just spend his life in a depressing spiral of serial amy But I listened because I felt I should at least pretend to be like the woman she remembered, even if that person—at best—was only able to whisper from the back of my head Eventually, she ran out of words and then she cried I put an arm around her and Chance stroked her hair
Finally she said, “Thanks for letting et that out It’s been a really shitty feeeks”
“For us too,” Chance murmured
Shannon nodded “I guess nobody sets out to get trapped in hell”
“Do you have ason
“Of course” I read thenature where he indicated—not that I didn’t trust him, but in all honesty, I didn’t I trusted no one That hat it meant to rule
Shannon talked with Chance while we did our business, and then I performed more introductions “Greydusk, this is Shannon Cheney You are to treat her with all royal consideration”
At first she recoiled, but I hoped she would get used to s were different in Xibalba, and the sooner she accepted it, the happier she would be Perhaps, in tie a marital alliance with the Luren Shannon would certainly find one of their , and I could appease Sybella with the offering I had broken our agreeain that had been er existed
For the remainder of the day, I put aside all business and spent tied her clothes, and then I showed her the palace and grounds Once the tour ended, I enlisted her help in decorating private rooms that had been passed over in favor of attention to the public areas, like the throne room
“Seriously? You’ll let me have free rein on all of this?”
“Indeed And I will need another adviser I can trust I’ll create a title especially for you”
“Holy shit Okay, so let et with Greydusk”
I nodded “He’ll assist in obtaining all the materials you need”
Because she was young, she didn’t realize I had more importanther, and I had to be sure she would be gainfully occupied It wouldn’t do for her to get homesick and cause trouble She had to stay here, safe and protected, and out of the hands of my enemies
At my word, Greydusk escorted Shannon to the storeroooods, fresh from the Saremon confiscations That left Chance with me in the study, and he didn’t look pleased In preparation for an unpleasant conversation, I shut the door and took a seat behind my desk
“You have soerous
“You lied to her about why you’re staying, and then distracted her with busywork Even though you did try to explain, I don’t think she realizes how…different you are, and when she does, it’s going to be a problem”
“What do you suggest?” It wasn’t sarcas, with no witnesses, I’d permit him to speak his mind
He scrubbed a hand through his inky hair “I don’t know I’m just worried”
“As am I But what are my alternatives? If I renounce the throne and devotethe downtrodden, how long do you think we’ll live? Any of us?”
“You won’t convince me your decisions are driven by altruis on the whole city for our benefit? Bullshit You want this”
I pushed toforward, I whispered, “As, Chance? You don’t”
He stilled, his tiger’s gaze locked on er I craved him
With measured steps, I approached him and stopped short of a touch “As I recall, you pursue your iuilty because you still desire me? Maybe even…because you want me more, this way”