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When Theran answered the sharp rap on the bedroom door and blocked the view into his rooht be
“The Queen’s court is no longer in residence,” Talon said “The Queen’s court now resides in Eyota”
Theran’s eyes re And thathe needed to know about Theran’s loyalty to Cassidy—and also confirth and the Grayhaven na that made a man a true leader
Theran’s face darkened with anger “Why should we move there and inconvenience everyone?”
“Everyone being your guest?” Talon asked with a er
“Kermilla, yes, but the court as well Why should we have to pack up just because Cassidy is acting like a spoiled child?”
Talon snarled “Be careful what you say, boy You’re talking about the Queen”
“So you expect o live in a Shalador reserve?” Theran snapped
“You’re not welcome there” He said the words because they were true
Theran’s eyes widened He looked stunned, hurt
“This is how it’s going to be, Theran Trust that II say” No response but wariness At least the boy had sense enough to be wary “You will remain as First Escort so that the court remains intact You promised to serve Cassidy for one year That promise itnessed by the most powerful men in all the Realms But they aren’t here I am, and I will hold you to that promise What you do the day after that contract is fulfilled is your own business, but you will do nothing to break this court If you do, I will kill your whore”
“Kermilla isnot a whore!”
“In exchange for keeping your oath of service, you will rule the town of Grayhaven on the Queen’s behalf All the tithes from the toill be your incoo to the treasury, but no one is going to ask for an accounting of your expenses”
“Talon, you’rea mistake”
He heard a hint of panic in Theran’s voice Good The boy was finally understanding that he no longer had the support that had always guarded his back
“While she stands on Dena Nehele land, Kermilla will be confined to this town,” Talon continued “The Queen ordered Kerarded that couest The shame is on the rest of the First Circle, and especially me, that we let you do that Because the fault is ours as well as yours, ill not raise a hand against Kermilla while she remains in Grayhaven However, by sunrise tomorrow, every Warlord Prince in Dena Nehele will know she is considered an ene as she remains in the town under your rule The moment she steps beyond that line, ill deal with her as we have dealt with every other enemy”
Theran looked shocked “Kermilla is the Queen we should have had She’s the one who should have been here fro, not Cassidy I know you have to fulfill your contract with the court, and I respect that, but don’t turn your back on the Queen you can serve next spring”
Sadness filled Talon He’d faced this moment before with friends, but he had never felt this bitter And now that he felt the bond that drove a Warlord Prince to serve a particular Queen, he finally understood why good men had served bad Queens—and had become twisted because of that service He could only hope that the bond Theran felt broke before so in Theran did “Ker about her calls to you to cherish and protect”
“She’s the right Queen for Dena Nehele For all of us If you’d just take the tiet to know her”