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“Get out,” Branford said darkly “Leave here nohile you still can”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Branford—”

The sound of a sword leaving its scabbard echoed around the chaar, and then King Edgar’s guards did the saar frouards behind me stepped around with their oeapons drawn as did Lord Williams and Sir Rylan Soon, it seear or Branford

Branford ar to Nelle to ain Branford lowered his sword only a fraction and then snarled through clenched teeth

“Get out of dom”

Edgar’s guardsfrom the sharp end of Branford’s sword

“Now!” Branford shouted “And do not return!”

Edgar’s eyes narrowed, and without a word, he took a few steps backwards Two of his guards stayed in front of hi Princess Whitney into the protected area The first of the guards continued to walk backwards with his sword drawn until the group froreat hall

“Parnell, follow theaze ates, have Brigham take nine others with him to make sure they pass our borders Six should stay behind as additional border guards No one from Hadebrand is to cross Understood?”

“Yes, ,” Parnell replied with a quick bow He pulled his arm away from Nelle’s back and sheathed the knife he had in his hand He turned on his heel and quickly followed the retreating Hadebrand royalty Sir Rylan took a step closer to Nelle and put his hand on her shoulder to hold her in place Lady Suzette stepped off to one side, carefully watching Branford

“Dunstan, fetch Janet”

“Yes, sire”

“Do not say a word to her,” Branford said as Dunstan started toward the back staircase “Only state Alexandra requires her presence”

“Of course, ”

Branford turned to me then, his eyes dark and his expression not one I had seen before The green in his eyes seemed to have been encoether in a scowl

“She prepared tea for you?”

“Yes, Branford,” I said, barely able to force my voice above a whisper

“Every day?”

“Yes”