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“Telllots of threats but no clear deo? To abdicate? To name you as my successor?”

“Randal” The old man beside him muttered his name as a caution, but Randal put out a hand to silence him

“Is that what you want, Patara?”

The queen narrowed her eyes and nibbled her cheek in thought

“No It’s not enough You…you have to die I told you to abdicate when you had a chance You didn’t listen If you abdicate now, n will always be under threat”

Randal growled, actually growled, like a wolf giving a warning before an attack “Sounds like you don’t really knohat’s best right now Would you like to borrow my chief adviser?”

The queen laughed, but it was hysterical “You think you’re so clever, don’t you, Randal? Lettingyou were plotting with Lord Aaron to steal it fro to plan, but I’ the end of you and this little cuntme an ounce of pleasure today She is your weakness I can hardly think of any way I’d rather start n than with her death, you traitor”

I had to look away I couldn’t bear thinking about as about to happen, that she obviously wanted me dead As we all continued to back away, I noticed the crowd beyond the doorway beginning to grow iroup of individual people, but like a single thing—like an ocean, or a stor more frustrated by the moment

“How did you turn into this, Patara? We were friends once I saved your life Even when Giles first approached reed to consider it was to keep the people I cared about safe You and Iris”

He had to raise his voice now over the noise of the crowd Their baying was beginning to grow deafening As it grew and grew, the queen’s body stiffened

“You betrayed me!” she screamed “I don’t care about you I don’t care about this cunt I care about me My power My throne”