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“But how do you learn the difference between fear and caution?” a voice asked

I stood upright again and turned, seeing Da in the doorway He was partially dressed for tonight—black pants and shined shoes, his hair in place But he was stillhis jacket and tie, and his white shirt had the sleeves rolled up

“By experience,” he answered when I didn’t

He walked over, andstyles had becoreed With anyone outside our family I wouldn’t care, but whenharder and harder to explain why his were allowed to swing from the rafters

“And by guidance frohter into his arms

He looked at Octavia, cocking an eyebrow “People who’ve surrendered to the rules and lost their iination, he means”

I hooded my eyes “Does Daddy let you cross streets by yourself?” I asked her

She sucked on her juice, knowing even at this young age not to involve herself in our dumb spats

“Because, like I said…” I smiled bitterly at Damon “‘Guidance from people who know more’”

“And how do you deter to?” he asked Octavia, but he was really just trying to piss me off “You don’t You listen to yourself”

“And while you’re doing that,” I told her, “don’t forget to remind yourself that choices have consequences you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life You’ll uidance”

“Did you?” Da a reminder for me to understand what he meant

Prick

He caood one We both still went to prison

God, I hated him

I e for him, but…

He took his daughter and his self-satisfied s at the back of his head

I just saved his kid’s life Or, at least a few broken bones

But hey…it would’ve been experience for her Put some hair on her chest Rawr

I stalked out of the kitchen, the sugary vanilla scent of cookies,the house as servers carried trays to the dining room

Madden had joined Ivar in lighting the candelabras, eachtheir rounds around the house, and I headed into the ballrooain