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"Of course not," the scarred Red woman adds dryly Father takes her disrespect in stride, but only for the coalition’s sake If not for our alliance, I suspect he would kill her, to teach everyone a lesson in propriety

Cal cal will you be gone, Preovern debate," Davidson says

Queen Anabel claps her hands in a the lines on her face "How interesting, sir And what does your govern debate?"

At this point, I feel like I’ a play led by mediocre actors Not one of them--Father, Anabel, Davidson--trusts a breath out of the others

"Oh, years" Davidson sighs,Not that any of you know that yet"

The final jab is , and it does Anabel’s sainst the table, another warning Her ability can destroy with ease Just like the rest of us All deadly, all with our own er I can stand it

"I’m excited to see it for myself"

The temperature rises before the words are barely out of Mare’s lares at her, eyes burning, while his teeth worry at his lip She remains resolute, her expression pleasantly blank I think she’s taking a page out of Davidson’s book

Quickly, I put a hand to le Mare Barrow is so wickedly talented when it co Calore men At this point, I wonder if she plans it Lies awake at night and schemes on how best to confuse Maven or distract Cal

But does she? Could she?

On instinct, I try to smother the spark of hope that bursts in my chest Then I let it bloom

She did it to Maven Kept him occupied Kept him off balance Kept him away from you Why can’t she do the saood envoy for Norta instead" I try to sound bored, uninterested Not eager I don’t want anyone to realize I’ the puppy will follow Mare’s eyes snap to lad no one here can read eline," Cal says quickly, forcing the words through gritted teeth "I h about your nation--"

I blink atmy head Silver hair slides across the scaled armor at my collarbone The power I have in this h my nerves "And what better way to know? She’ll be well received, a hero Montfort is a country of newbloods Her presence will help our cause Won’t it, Premier?"

Davidson fixes h me Look all you want, Red "Undoubtedly"

"You trust her to report what she finds there? Without embellishment or omission?" Anabel scoffs in disbelief "Make no irl has no loyalty to anyone with Silver blood"

Both Cal and Mare lower their eyes at the sa "Then send a Silver with her Perhaps Lord Jacos?" The older man, thin in his yellow robes, seems startled by the sound of his own name He has a frayed appearance, like a worn piece of cloth "If memory serves, you’re a scholar, aren’t you?"

"I am," he murmurs

Mare’s head snaps up Her cheeks are red, but the rest of her see to Montfort, and no king has the right to stop htens in his chair His grandmother looms close, smaller in comparison to him But their resemblance is still clear Saht nose The same soldier’s heart And, ultimately, the same ambition She watches him as she speaks, wary of his response "So Lord Jacos and Mare Barroill represent the true king of Norta alongside--"