page100 (1/2)

He’d been right Kerood jeweler left in Grayhaven He’d been honest with the ht the delicate silver bracelet was as fine a piece as any he’d seen in Lia’s jewelry box—the old box Cassidy had found that had contained the gifts Lia had received from her husband and children

“Thank you” Kermilla closed the box and vanished it

Not even good enough to put on so he could see her wearing it before she left Not even good enough for that

The front door opened Julien stood in the doorway, letting fresh cold air fill the entrance

“The carriage is out front, if Lady Kero to the Coach station,” Julien said When Theran didn’t move, he came in and closed the door

“It was a lovely visit,” Kermilla said She couldn’t quite make the words sound sincere

“I’lad you were here,” Theran said “I’ll miss you”

He waited, still blocking the steps

She gave hiet to the station It’s a long journey, and there will be a lot to do when I get home”

He hesitated a er, then stepped aside He escorted her out to the carriage and watched until she passed through the gates of the estate

“Would you like soht to your study?” Julien asked

“Yes, thank you” He could occupy himself with paperwork There was always plenty of paperwork

Once he was inside the room, he looked around carefully

Nothing out of place Nothing added

He had hoped, but it appeared that had been foolish

Despite what she’d hinted, despite what she’d told hiold ift for him

KAELEER

Kermilla huddled in the back of the horse-drawn cab Da to ease the chill inside the cab, let alone the spell-war heshould have offered the Queen who ruled his village He hadn’t put a war spell on the inside of the cab, either, which he also should have done She could create the war spell herself, but that wasn’t the point A Queen shouldn’t have to do menial spells when there were others around to tend to her needs

And that was a lesson this particular driver was going to learn very soon

Having made that decision, she stared out the cab’s

Snow Big, fluffy flakes of snow Wasn’t that festive? Wasn’t that a lovely way to return to sheep-shit Bhak?

Thank the Darkness she had a few dresses that would be suitable for the Winsol celebrations, including the red dress she’d bought yesterday It wasn’t the quality she was accustomed to, but people would be iracious guest and buy some dresses in Dena Nehele

Her court would have to spread the word of her return quickly so invitations that ain And if all the invitations didn’t make it out, some families would be honored by her presence and the others not only would feel the social sting of their error, they also would feel a sting in their income when she, as their Queen, made a few adjustments to the tithes

Why had she wasted so much time in Dena Nehele? Why had she wasted herself onthose people? They wouldn’t have anything rese polite society in years, if ever And the men! Even a standard five-year contract would have been too long to survive a them

Could she have survived five years a them? Or would one of those Warlord Princes have honed his knife on her bones over so that should have been overlooked in the first place?