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He knew their names, but it was understood that no na Foolish, really, when there were so few of them left they all knew one another, but that caution had been too well trained into them
“Prince” A Purple Dusk Warlord Prince stepped forward “I’ve been asked to be the voice of my Brothers”
Theran tipped his head to acknowledge the athered for a discussion at least once without hi”
“The day after I reachedwas declared cohting for Dena Nehele in one way or another ever since I guess that’s true for all of us here”
The other twenty-six Warlord Princes nodded
Only twenty-eight of us to guard four Provinces,Theran thoughtHow in the na to do that?
“I’ve fought for Dena Nehele,” the Warlord Prince said “My father and ht and bled and died for Dena Nehele And as much as we respect Ranon and Jared Blaed, ant to live in Dena Nehele The Queens in our Provinces feel the sa more than a memory”
Thank the Darkness “Then come back to Grayhaven with me Meet with Lady Kermilla Help me form a court so that—”
“No” The Warlord Prince took a step back “We’ll protect Dena Nehele We’ll defend the Blood against the landens, and we’ll fight to keep our Provinces safe from outside attack But none of us will serve Kermilla”
Theran’s te, and she doesn’t have as much experience as she thinks she has, but she’s not an evil wo Correne was a irl’s influence on Kermilla’s behavior left a bad taste in a few men’s mouths, but—”
“Theran”
The breach of etiquette shocked him cold
“We’ve heard words like this before, Theran Heard theood men who couldn’t see the blood on their Queens’ hands or tried to justify brutality because they couldn’t live with the truth”
Theran said nothing
“We won’t serve her, and on’t stand by and let her become Queen of what is left of our land We serve Dena Nehele, and we’re willing to let the Grayhaven line stand as the ruler But not her Never her If we have tofield and end the Grayhaven line to make sure she doesn’t become Queen, then that is ill do”
He didn’t want to believe the words, but he couldn’t doubt what he saw in their eyes If he helped Kermilla set up a court, they would kill him—and then they would kill her
“She gave up everything to stay here and be our Queen,” he said, desperate to make them understand
“I doubt she gave up anything, but you believe what you choose It’s clear enough she’s your Queen; that doesn’t hed “Teeks, Prince She’s safe fro”
They flowed around hi back to the territories they claimed as their own
Theran stood there, alone, long after the last ht the Winds
Where was the promise of a new life, a better life? Where was the hope? There had been hope a year ago, hadn’t there? Gone now All gone He didn’t kno to fix it, any of it
And he didn’t knohat he was going to say to Kermilla