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Shucking off his heavy coat, Theran handed it to Julien and took the letter “I’ll be in my study”

“Lady Kermilla wanted to be informed the moment you returned home”

Should I takequestion

“Inform the Lady that I’ve returned,” Theran said as he walked away

Kermilla wanted Julien dismissed Actually, she wanted the man banned from the town because, on his best days, Julien was barely courteous to her On the days whenaround her Since she was still a guest, she had to tolerate the butler Once she became Queen

Probleood at his job, took onbetween Kermilla and the rest of the staff, was the only reason the other servants hadn’t resigned

Why was everyone so resistant and so resentful? Yes, she was sometimes difficult or inconsiderate, but maturity and work that es Sure she had a temper, but that just meant she had spine and spirit And that spine and spirit were the reasons Kerht Queen for Dena Nehele—the one who could represent their land and people with grace and skill

The servants grumbled on a daily basis, which he didn’t understand since he hadn’t seen Kernore the servants for the ed to keep the Couldn’t anyone understand that it was an anxious time for all of them and the next feeeks would be so critical? Nerves were a bit frayed and tempers were sharper than they would be normally But once Kermilla had the assurance of her place in Dena Nehele, everything would settle down

Could he give her any assurance?

The Warlord Princes he’dNot one indication that they would be willing to accept Kermilla, let alone serve her And not one spark of interest inseen in her company because Talon had declared her an enemy of the current Queen of Dena Nehele, but there wasn’t any sign of the suppressed interest he’d expected once he’d hinted that Talon’s declaration would no longer apply co

What was he supposed to do about that? Having the backing of at least some of the Warlord Princes and minor Queens was crucial

He riffled through the openedthose Not really After all, she’d be attending those events with him, so she should have a say in which ones they accepted But the rest

Uneasiness rippled through hiht Then Kermilla walked into the study, and the uneasiness was buried under his craving to be with her and use everything he was for her pleasure—whatever that pleasure er

“Oh,la, Theran,” Keret back in tihtful little party later this afternoon that Imust attend and—”

“Why did you open er he was keeping leashed until he heard the roughness in his voice

She stoppedtoward the desk She lowered her head and looked at hih her lashes while herto help And I wanted to learn You’re always telling me that I need to learn more about Dena Nehele”

“You learn by talking”Listening “or askingNot by violating someone’s privacy”

“Violating?” She widened her eyes “That’s a harsh word I just looked at a few silly old letters”

“No, it’s not a harsh word” He fanned the stack of letters and the uneasiness returned Julien? How ?

Five invitations and seven letters

Theran counted the was hidden

Five invitations—and five letters