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She pulled away fro well”

He studied her, and she saw nothing in his eyes except concern “You’ve been working steadily all ,” he finally said “Why don’t you rest for a while?”

She pushed away froot sick “I’ll do that I’ll go up to my room and rest for a while Please ask Reyhana to open the invitations and review the calendar It will be good practice for her” She hesitated, then added, “I don’t want to be disturbed”

“Shall I have Birdie or Frannie bring up a tray? Or ask Lady Shira tobrew?”

She shook her head “I’ry, and there’s no need to bother Shira about this” What ailed her was so the Black Widow Healer couldn’t fix

She left her office, aware that Powell followed her to the door and watched her

Vae followed her all the way up to her room

“I want to be alone, Vae”

No You are upset, and your se

“Leave me alone”

No Vae ju

Cassidy studied the Sceltie’s Purple Dusk Jewel Outranked and out-toothed

Why are you upset?

It bubbled out, hot and bitter “I’iven the best that I have, but in two ain

You are being foolish

“No, I’ain”

Vae’s shock hit her as hard as a blow

You will not defend yourto you?

“Vae”

Vae snarled When a Sceltie is given a flock to protect, she protects it When a bad dog tries to take her flock, a Sceltie doesn’t tuck her tail between her legs and run ahining A Sceltiefights ”

“Well, I’m not a Sceltie!”

No, you are only human, but you are a Queen You have shown your teeth before Why won’t you show theht for you Why won’t you fight for them?

“Iwould fight for them, with my last breath and beyond,” Cassidy shouted “But they don’t”

She stopped Closed her eyes Thought about Powell’s reaction to Kermilla’s letter

Almost dismissive A potential problem the men had been aware of, so it hadn’t coh to summon the court immediately