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Sabrina’s smile was sufficient answer “I think my Steward and Darlena’s should personally collect the autumn tithes from a few of the District Queens and review their court accounts” She looked at Jaenelle “Don’t you think? That would be a fair warning to a Queen who had been granted a provisional year to prove herself—especially if she truly wanted to retain those villages as her territory”
“Who gives a piss about being fair?” Lucivar growled
Saetan felt his temper rise, but before he could respond, Dae fair when it buys needed time”
Lucivar stopped prowling and stared at Daeht, fine But soo to Dena Nehele and explain to that bitch that a young Warlord can’t be snatched off the street just because he has four legs and fur”
“That’s been taken care of,” Jaenelle said
“By who?” Lucivar demanded
“By sos even better than you” Jaenelle smiled at Lucivar
Lucivar took a step back and resu
After a few ht not be o to Eyota to Khollie home”
“I don’t think you can take Khollie anywhere without a fight,” Jaenelle said
Khary gave Jaenelle, then Morghann, a hard stare “He’s delicate You bothknow that And Ranon didn’t want him in the first place”
“What was true then isn’t true now Ranon needed sos”
Khary made a rude noise “He’s—”
“One of us,” Jaenelle said quietly
Silence as themoment to assess the implications of that statement
One of us,Saetan thought Those three words told hireat deal about Ranon—and explained evenhi with the Shalador Warlord Prince Damned hard to insist that you were a “fornized a bond with you that could hold him
When Gray had recognized her asthe Queen, Jaenelle had slid around facing the truth that she wasn’t a for that Gray was confused by his developing sense of being a Warlord Prince But there was nothing wrong with Ranon that she could use as an excuse
Which
“What Circle?” Khary finally asked
“Second,” Jaenelle replied
Meaning, if the Dark Court still officially existed, Ranon would have been accepted into the Second Circle Not as intimate a companion as someone in the First Circle, but those who served in the Second were still close enough—and trusted enough—for confidential assignments and direct service to the Queen