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No, Talon would have been certain even before he took that action The confirmation from their own minds before the execution was only a formality
“They were hers” Trae looked sick and confused “She’d gone to meet them and found out Talon had taken theht to touch a ed to her”
They couldn’t belong to herTheran’s stomach rolledNot the sa to a Queen ould clai a child? Trae’sHe has to be
“Are we talking about Prince Talon, Lady Cassidy’s Master of the Guard?” Jhorma sounded wary
“Yes” Theran’s stoers here instead of on their father’s doorstep—because he, as the ruler of this town, should have exiled Garth and Brok for breaking the Queen’s command
“Do you have anyone who could deliver this to the Warlords’ family?” Trae asked
Theran shook his head
“Then I’ll do it for you”
Theran looked at Trae with grudging respect He’d thought of Keres, unwanted chaperons who restricted what he could say to his lover—and to the woman who should rule his people But these men were First Circle If they’d been ho care of the business of the court, just like Cassidy’s First Circle did
Offering to take the box to the Warlords’ father was a kindness he hadn’t expected from Kermilla’s present court
“Take Laska with you,” Jhorh death over a foolish decision, and I don’t iine anyone reacts hen they receive one of those boxes—unless they’re truly relieved to receive it”
“Thank you” Theran nodded at the paper Jhorive him that too He should knohy his sons were forfeit”
As soon as Jhorma and Trae left, Theran called in a bottle of brandy He had downed his first large glass before Kermilla stomped daintily into the room
“Did Trae tell you about the dreadful thing that happened in town today?” Kermilla put her hands on her hips and looked stern “You should tell Talon he has no business interfering with this townYou rule here”
“Garth and Brok are forfeit, Ker anyone can do about that”
“You have to do so! They’re mine, Theran They’re—”
“Dead”Hell’s fire He hadn’t meant to be that blunt
She paled Pouring uided her to a chair “Drink this” He waited until she chugged the brandy “I’m sorry, Kermilla, but Garth and Brok are dead They were executed”
She gasped for air, then wailed, “Why?”
He pulled up a footstool and sat in front of her “They went to a landen’s house with the intention of raping the wife and daughter That’s unforgivable, even here where we’ve forgotten so much of the Old Ways of the Blood”
“They wouldn’t do that,” Kermilla protested
She didn’t believe them capable of that obscenity She hadn’t realized what kind of men they hen she’d claimed them Thank the Darkness for that “They did”