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“The boardinghouse looks shabby, but it’s solid, has running water and a kitchen, and it’s big enough to accommodate all of the First Circle,” Ranon said

Since this was the fourth tietic—Cassidy figured the Shalador Warlord Prince wasn’t as calm or confident about this visit as he appeared to be And Shira’s composure had become more frayed as this day approached

“It will be fine, Ranon,” Cassidy said “I’ will be fine” She hoped so, because the success of this visit would determine if she would be allowed to be a Queen to these people in the truest sense or only a symbol the Warlord Princes would use to try to rebuild Dena Nehele The witch storo had swept away the Blood who had been tainted by Dorothea SaDiablo, and the landen uprisings that followed had killed sopeace within their own Territory, they had to reh to stop any Blood froht try to encroach on Dena Nehele’s land and take whatever resources could be won froht

“It will be fine,” Shira echoed

Noticing the way Ranon stopped hiht betray some confidence, Cassidy wondered what the Black Wido that couldwould be fine

They were a proud, ragged people

Since he wasn’t an official member of Cassie’s First Circle, Gray stood back and watched as Lady Nimarr, the eldest Shalador Queen, formally introduced Cassie to the other Queens who ruled in the Shalador reserves Cassie had met several of the women a few days before when they caured this introduction was for the benefit of the people who had gathered to get a look at the Queen of Dena Nehele

Then so Ranon’s grandfather Yairen, as a Keeper of Music

Gray looked at Theran, whose face seemed frozen in an expression between stubbornness and forced courtesy, then at Ranon, who stood tall and proud—but not confident, despite his effort to appear so Toofor Ranon to feel confident of the outcome

Gray watched Cassie talk to the Tradition Keepers Her eyes never left Lord Yairen’s face, but he knew her well enough to appreciate how much effort it took for her not to look at the old man’s crippled hands And he was certain she understood that the crippling hadn’t been caused by age or accident

The Queens wore new dresses that were sin Over those dresses were finely embroidered vests—old vests that were tended carefully and probably only worn for special occasions The Tradition Keepers had worn their best clothes too, but even skilled sea and patches in those clothes, and Gray ad illusion spells to cover one truth about the reserves

He had lived a rough life in the rogue camps hidden in the Tamanara Mountains These people had lived a desperate life, had endured more—and worse—than anyone else in Dena Nehele because of Dorothea SaDiablo’s hatred for Jared

Was it any wonder that Ranon felt so bitter and angry about the way his people had been treated? Was it any wonder that he took every opportunity to call attention to the way the Shaladorans lived—and what they lived without?

But was Ranon hoping for ive?