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“The five southern Provinces have agreed to join the Shalador reserves to create a new Territory,” Powell said “All the District Queens and the Warlord Princes who are ruling on behalf of our Queen support the court’s decision to break away from Dena Nehele and build the kind of life ant in a land ruled by the Queen we have chosen to serve”

The h Exhilaration and trepidation None of the to step onto asfields as it would take to buy freedom for the people they loved

“I’ve drafted a docu at Ranon and Gray

“We’ll take it up to the Keep this afternoon and ask the High Lord to review it,” Gray said

“Until we kno Theran and his Lady are going to react to this news, everyone goes out in tandem,” Talon said “And you Ladies are to have an escort with you at all times”

“But—” Shira said

“Alltimes” Talon stared at Shira until she nodded “We can’t afford to lose either of you—or Reyhana You’ll do e need so that we can do what Shalador Nehele needs”

“That’s fair,” Cassidy said, sounding too subdued for Ranon’s liking “You should reuard the Queen’s square”

Talon nodded as if he—and every otherplayed hide-and-seek with the dogs in order to learn more of what they could do, the men had confirmed that no matter hoell you could hide from another huh or disguise yourself well enough to hide from kindred senses unless you were doind ofall of them

“Is that all?” Cassidy asked

“Yes, Lady,” Powell replied

Cassidy pushed away from the table and walked out of the room

“Letacross the e her

He waited for Gray’s nod before he left the room to look for Cassidy

Wasn’t hard to find her The garden gave her comfort—even when it slept under snow

He stood on her left side, wanting to touch her, wanting to offer siht now, so he stayed where he was

“I’m afraid,” she said “You’ve put your faith inyour lives and your people’s lives based on that faith What if I fail?”

“None of us knoe’ll ently “Considering e’re about to do, only a fool wouldn’t be afraid of what may be ahead of us, and you’re no fool But I’ll tell you the sa Talon told me once: don’t fail until you fail”