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Her sto

Thehimself so close to her she could smell the rank heat of his body under his layers of proper clothing No true country Fae would wear such fancy clothes, but theto the palace instead of running a sricultural province

“Now, ht to my proposal?”

Bron had to force herself to s and brainless “I have thought of little else”

Since the randfather had blandly proposedbut that old goat getting his hands on her

A sly smile crossed his face “Well, then, shall we announce it tomorrow at the festival?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that, sir I don’t think I would irl” She’d hoped for more time She’d rather hoped that the man would find a wife at court who suited him more He’d spent the last two months there

He shook his head, reaching for her hand His were clammy and soft, the hands of a man who’d never done an honest day’s work “Not at all, my dear You’re actually quite well educated As is your sister Your irl You have everything required to be an excellent wife for me Once you’ve been cleaned up and are in proper attire, you’ll be quite pretty You’ll fit right in And I’ Torin hi us back to our rightful place The Vahtful king”

She was sure she’d turned a little green If the Vaed Torin, the others would follow

If Micha noticed, he didn’t show it,Torin was very interested in our little province, I tell you Once he sees hoell I enact his nes, he’s going to understand that I should be given aclass But before I can request a new assignment, I truly must have a wife and family in place”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Mayor” She stammered out the words, not sure how to extricate herself

His face turned cold, his thin lips nearly disappearing “Well, you’re not supposed to think, are you, dear? Do you knohat I think? I think it’s odd that a girl your age hasn’t married and had children You’re what? Twenty-five?”

She nodded, not wanting to explain that she was actually twenty-seven

“And your sister is at least ten years older Odd then that she’s avoideddown her spine “Some people around here whisper that your sister hasn’t ic I don’t like that rumor, do you?”

Tears threatened, angry, frightened, utterly impotent tears “No I don’t like it”