page14 (1/2)

“But” Gray paused Looked thoughtful “Oh Because I’ her? But I don’t care if she smells”

Karla stared at Gray until he muttered, “Well, Idon’t care” But the stare ended that part of the discussion

“I think Cassidy would appreciate some assistance from her mother and the court’s Healer,” Karla said “And I think everyone with a penis should stay away from that hallway and those rooh?”

Seeing Lucivar come around the corner, Ranon said, “That’s clear Can you tell us what happened to Lady Cassidy?”

“Do you want it in simple terms?” Karla asked

He nodded

“She was an idiot”

Gray snarled and took a step toward Karla

Aaron sprang away from the house but stopped and looked at Lucivar, who held up a hand to signal Aaron to stay back while he headed for their happy little group—slowly

“She ignored her training and her coed herself beyond repair,” Karla said “What would you call it? There was no need for what happened In fact, there was every reason for caution and restraint She could have uish she caused all of you It was an irresponsible thing for a Queen to do, and the Darkness only knohat possessed her to do it” Her eyes turned a colder blue as she focused on Gray “And if you think I’h Lord Having been on the receiving end of one of his verbal lashings when I did sohtly”

Gray took a step back “The High Lord would have yelled at Cassie?” “When he’s really pissed off about soh Lord does not yell,” Karla said “He doesn’t have to”

“I’ve heard him yell,” Gray said “Sort of yell”

“Then you heard surface te compared to his real temper”

“Oh”

“Could I learn to do that?” Reyhana asked, pointing to the garden

“No,” Ranon, Gray, and Janos said

Karla looked at the men and shook her head “Yes I can show—”

“No,” Reyhana said

Ranon turned on the girl Reyhana was the ing her to Cassidy’s attention was enough of a risk The girl could not be allowed to challenge a Queen as strong as Karla

Before he could say anything, Reyhana raised her chin and took a step toward Karla

“I mean no disrespect, Lady,” Reyhana said “But if I aht by the Queen of Dena Nehele”

The men held themselves tense and silent as the titches measured each other

“Fro Queen who apprenticed with Cassidy caused her a great deal of pain,” Karla said “That kind of betrayal isn’t easy to forget What Cassidy did here is important for you to learn Vital, in fact, for the land as well as benefiting you If she doesn’t feel co you, then I will before I return to Glacia”

Reyhana hesitated, and in that breath between oneQueen mature a little more

“Is that what happened to your legs?” Reyhana asked “Betrayal?”

Karla nodded “I was poisoned by a member ofloyal to me I should have died fros are a s” She raised a hand, a si Lady is going to learn this particular bit of Craft, you three—yes, that includes you, puppy—need to learn how to deal with a Queen Lucivar will teach you”

“Teach the up to join them