Page 68 of Heir to His Court

“She is not fit.” The General turned away from the empty training yard and paced through the halls of the pretty palace the Prince had built. A place to play, not a fortress. “She has potential, but she is poorly controlled and unfocused, the shape of her ambition too malleable.”

She is young and angry and grieving,Darkan corrected.And suffering under the weight of her mother's duties and her brother’s absence. Danon must be returned to her.

Danon is mine, Renaud said, displeased.

You petty—

“There is another issue,” the General cut them off. “The gate.”

Threnvanne said nothing more. They all knew that crossing the realms was no simple matter. The gate would always extract its price and last time, it had taken the last of their sanity.

It did not seem to like them very well.

“What will it do to the Kuthliele?”

None of them knew.

They all feared to find out. . .the General did not fear. What would be, would be.

Let me go to her,Darkan said again.She is dreaming.

No.Renaud’s malevolent voice. Youhave done enough. She killed my son, the Heir of Everenne. I will deal with her.

They were silent a moment, merging with Renaud.

I will see you destroyed first,Raniel whispered.Nothing you are envisioning will bring Embry forth.

No,was the chill reply,not Embry.

“That is a bloodless vengeance,” Threnvanne said. “I did not permit it in my armies. . .ah.Thatcomplication will certainly interfere with future battle plans. I also did not allow that in my armies. We sent the females home with their spawn right away.”

The others were silent with tension as Renaud’s intent unfolded.

She will destroy us,Raniel said.You cannot.

It is my price,Renaud said.

Enough,Raniel said.If you demandthatfrom her, Renaud, her mind may not survive.

It is my price. If you will not give me her death, then she will give me her life,he said, a thread of their pain weaving into his voice.

You killed Muriel. We demanded no blood from you!

“Enough,” the General said, feeling his aspects rouse again to battle. “If we fight, we will destroy ourself. Prince, you may have her. But once served, the punishment is over. You may torment her over that mistake no longer.”

No,Raniel protested.

He could break her mind,Darkan said.I do not agree.

Then I will destroy us all,Renaud said. You think you can stand against me? You cannot. I have not yet made a true attempt.

General?Darkan asked sharply.

“It is possible.”

Silence as they all contemplated, thoughts separate and interwoven.

She has suffered enough,Darkan said.Nothing you do to her will be worse than what she does to herself.

---