Page 139 of The Throne's Undoing

Laughter filledthe room as Emmett and Sylvia went back and forth. But the joy ceased when Kallie and Graeson stepped inside the room, and the attention of those sitting at the table turned to them. Tension ripped through the air as eyes bounced from Kallie to Dani.

Dani stood, her chair screeching as it scratched the floor. "What isshedoing here?"

Kallie went rigid as Dani's gaze bore into her. Since the two of them had sparred, they had managed to evade each other. Any time Kallie had turned down a hall and heard Dani's voice, she had turned the other way, even if it meant taking a longer path to her destination.

Kallie was a walking reminder of Fynn's passing, and Kallie did not wish to cause Dani any more stress than she already had.

Yet, when she had told Graeson that it was Sebastian who had been the one to take Fynn's life, he had asked if she would come with him to talk to the others. She had initially denied him despite his reassurance that it would be all right. However, when he looked at her, a plea on his lips, she had relented.

She was wondering if she should have held her ground, though.

"She has a right to eat with us," Graeson argued, placing a gentle hand on Kallie's back, and some of the existing stiffness dissipated. Marginally, anyway.

Dani scoffed. "Fine, but that does not mean I have to sit here, too," she said, scooting her chair further back.

"Sit, Dani," Graeson ordered.

Dani pursed her lips, her nose twitching as she glared at him. "You do not command me."

"We all cannot avoid each other forever," Graeson said, his voice surprisingly even. "We have matters to discuss."

She arched an eyebrow. "What matters?"

A smirk pushed at the corner of Graeson's lips. "Such as what we should do about Domitius and those he has been colluding with. And considering you are a general, I had thought you would like to be a part of that discussion."

Dani's hands curled around the back of her chair, her knuckles draining of color. Everything about her stance gave the impression that she wanted to flee, yet Dani hesitated as her gaze flicked from the door to the table.

"And it would behoove any general to point out thatsheis not one of us. Whatever plans we need to discuss should not be done within her earshot," she finally said, pointing directly at Kallie.

"You're letting your feelings blindside you, Dani," Graeson snapped, his hand falling from Kallie's back as he stepped toward the general.

"And you're not? She was fucking raised by Domitius!" Dani shouted, her hand pounding against the table. "Or have you forgotten because you two are--"

"Mind your tongue, Danisinia," Graeson hissed.

Dani cackled and began again, "She--"

But before Dani could say anything else and push Graeson even closer to the edge he was already teetering on, Kallie stepped forward. "Sheis standing right here."

Dani snorted, a sneer curling her lips. "I see you have finally regained your backbone."

Kallie tipped up her chin and squeezed Graeson's arm, gently tugging him back. While she was grateful for his desire to defend her, this was not his battle.

"You are right to be leery of my presence. Domitius did raise me. He taught me almost everything I know. He taught me how to lie and deceive; he gave me the skills to wield a sword; he made me into his perfect weapon. But you are not the only one who wishes to put Domitius in his place once and for all. And with or without you, I will be his undoing."

Dani pursued her lips, and Kallie thought she was still going to leave. Even in their pursuit of vengeance, there would be no common ground between them.

But then Terin spoke for the opposite end of the table, brows drawn together, "Dani."

It was only one word. His tone was not commanding, even though Terin had the authority to demand that Dani sit. He hadn't even begged. But there was something else in his voice, in the unsaid words perhaps, that made Dani unfurl her fingers from the chair and finally sit.

She said nothing, her mouth drawn in a flat line, her ire still swimming on the surface of her irises and spread plainly across her features.

Kallie did not think it was progress, but it was something. A momentary truce, perhaps.

Graeson pulled out a seat and nodded to Kallie. Once she took it, he sat in the chair beside her. He placed his elbows on the table and folded his hands tightly together.

Terin nodded to them, offering them a small smile.

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