page128 (2/2)

TERREILLE

For a day and a half, Theran tried to reconcile a dream and a hard truth, but nobetween two loves

It is better to break your own heart than to break your honor

He finally understood Talon’s words

Kermilla mattered more to him than anyone he had ever known But in the end, Dena Nehele mattered more So hethe Warlord Princes to Grayhaven

He still wanted Kerht, hoanted her! But every time he wavered, he looked at the two objects he’d placed on his desk—objects that reminded him of the difference between two Queens

One was the piece from the broken wish pot

The other was a leather-bound copy of Jared’s story

Two days later, twenty-seven Warlord Princes walked into aroom at Grayhaven

This time, Theran didn’t stand on a platform to address them This time, he didn’t try to stand as their leader This time, they told him what he had to do

Kermilla huffed andtsk ed and made unhappy sounds as she pushed dress after dress aside Shehad to have some new clothes When she becas!

And she wasfinally going to be Queen The Warlord Princes had co, but she’d seen the -to first, and then he’d request her presence so that she could select her court She really didn’t want a First Circle made up completely of Warlord Princes—they were so prickly!—but she’d settle for it to get the court established and then select enial men for her Second Circle And once she was Queen, she could select afor her bed

Not that she wasn’t still fond of Theran, but he was better suited to being a First Escort or her Master of the Guard He just didn’t have the proper skills to be a Consort—or even a lover

So iht impression this time So important to look like what these men wanted

But hoas she supposed to do that withthese clothes?

Alone again, Theran closed his eyes and swayed as the pain raked through him

It was done The Warlord Princes would help him save as left of Dena Nehele

Now all he had to do was fulfill his part of the bargain before time ran out

A handful of outfits were strewn on her bed and the chairs, souring Kermilla’s mood as the inadequacy of her wardrobe beca before

She glanced out one of her bedroom s, then stopped and stared at the Warlord Princes walking down the long drive toward the landing web just beyond the estate’s double gates

They were leaving? Why were theyleaving ?

She pulled on a sirabbed a shawl, and rushed downstairs to find Theran

Theran went into his study and gave Julien a psychic tap on the shoulder Within a minute the butler knocked on the door

“Lady Ker to discuss,” Theran said “While she is here with me, you and Hanna need to move fast”

After receiving his instructions, Julien hurried out of the room Moments later, Kermilla rushed in

“They left!” she said “Why did they leave without seeing me?”

“Sit down, Kermilla” Theran waved her toward a chair “I have to explain sos”

“What things?” She sat on the edge of the stuffed chair

He nudged the footstool back and sat down He didn’t touch her He didn’t want her to realize he had a skintight Green shield protecting his skin, his facehis eyes He felt foolish—and deceitful—doing that with her, but he couldn’t ignore the warnings the other iven him about how previous Queens had reacted to disappointment