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A Territory QueenLa, wasn’t that wonderful? All right, it wasn’t a rich, exciting Territory, and itwas in Terreille, but the tithes had to be worth the responsibilities, so they would beso e of Bhak or, worse, Woolskin She’d try for a five-year contract Theran would get it for her And she wouldn’t shirk her duties Really, she wouldn’t But she’d make sure there was somefun too

It had been satisfying to teach those other Queens about draining power into the land Such a basic thing, and they didn’t know itLa! They weren’t much better than landens Not that she’dsaid that She supposed they were nice enough, but most of them were older than her and they looked so tatty and didn’t talk about anything interesting How could they expect anyone to take them seriously as Queens when they dressed like that and didn’t kno to be interesting?

She would set an example, even set the fashion trends Wouldn’t that be fun? Of course, because Freckledy had gotten into a snit, she was stuck here in Grayhaven, which was supposed to be the capital of Dena Nehele and an I here thatshe considered impressive If this was the best they could do, maybe she didn’t want to rule here after all

No, of course she wanted to rule here When would she get another opportunity to rule a whole Territory? Sabrina was going to be ruling Dharo for years and years, and there were tooQueens to choose from when it came time for a successor She could continue to rule Bhak and keep a connection with Dharo that way A few days each season would be sufficient for whatever required her attention Her Steward could run Bhak and landen Woolskin the rest of the time and just send her reports—and the all-important income from the tithes Then, if she decided not to stay in Dena Nehele and nothing better turned up in Terreille, she could go hoht not be offered a Province—yet—but should be given her pick of the larger cities that could offer more diversity in terms of society and entertainment—and shops

If she was going to stay here, she would need more company Nottoo y and he would have to support any Ladies ere her co Queen who had come with the others—she and Correne had becoh like her to fit right in At sixteen, Correne wasn’t a baby, but she was still too young to be serious co pretty No Queen was serious coht and could offer so her oer

A knock on her door

“Coaily

Jhorma slipped into the room and closed the door

Kermilla watched him as he approached the bed He was a handsome man and a skilled lover, but there wasn’t the heat in his eyes for her that there had been while he was chained to Cassidy’s bed Oh, he cary to please—and to take his own relief as a reward—and he neverthe way he did with Freckledy toward the end of his contract But he didn’t look at her the way Theran did She was getting the impression that Jhorh and enthusiastic—as long as he got his own pleasure at the end Theran looked at her as if she was the only one he wanted, the only one who could satisfy him

Jhor beside her on the bed, didn’t make any move to touch her

“We need to talk,” he said

She ran a finger down his arm and smiled playfully “Sex first, talk later”

He didn’t s to be stuck in this place?”

Her s as I say we stay”

“Cassidy isn’t here, and it doesn’t sound like she’s co back When you decided to coone a couple of days Three at theto that information”

“So?”

“Aston and Ridley have faiven this assign”