Page 73 of Degradation

Garron shook his head. “The names won’t indicate the loyalty of the noble. Only the person will do that. Invite as you see fit.”

“Very good, Your Highness,” Philip said. “Guests should arrive within the hour.”

I looked at the darkening window and felt a stirring of trepidation that had nothing to do with the now calmer tingle of warning under my skin.

“Can we agree that I will only be introduced as Philip’s niece during these meetings?” I asked, briefly meeting the gazes of each of my five men. “I feel no shame in my relationship with all of you. However, others may not feel the same, and I have no wish to distract those in attendance from what is most urgent.

“The queen will not sit idly now that she knows someone with power, whether with magic or influence, has helped Pogwid evade her grasp. She will expend more of her power to search for Pogwid's supporters in the coming days. We need to meet with the other casters quickly for the sake of the people and Edmund and Brandle.”

Liam slowly nodded. “Although I have no wish to hide what you mean to us, I believe you’re right.”

I turned toward Philip. “People are often caught in the web of their own lies. The less we say about me, the better. Your niece with a modest aptitude for casting should suffice.”

“Yes, Princess,” he said. “If you would care to change, I can show you to your room.”

“No need for that,” Darian said, standing with me in his arms. “We’ll show her.”

Philip nodded in agreement and retreated as Darian took several steps toward the door.

“Please allow me to use my own feet,” I said.

“Aw, Lamb. You already stole our hearts. Must you steal our joy too?”

I looked over Darian’s shoulder at Daemon and rolled my eyes at him.

“If I concede to your every wish, I would never leave my room.”

He laughed. Darian eased me to my feet but didn’t surrender his hold. He looped my hand around his arm and escorted me in a proper fashion.

Philip’s home was larger than anything I’d ever visited. It boasted twelve guest rooms in a separate wing from the main house. The grandeur spoke of a familial wealth with which I wasn’t familiar, and I briefly wondered if my mother had lived in such a home and why she’d left it.

Mother had rarely spoken of her family, only answering questions when directly asked. I only knew the name of my grandparents and my aunt from my father, divulged after I’d vowed never to tell Eloise, who we’d both known would approach the pair more so out of curiosity than desire to establish a relationship.

“You’re quiet,” Garron said.

I realized we were standing in the center of a large bedroom. A dress waited, neatly laid out on the bed. Margret stood off to the side, her head bowed.

“Distracted by thoughts of my family,” I said.

“Are you worried for Eloise?”

“Always, but it was thoughts of my mother. I wondered if, as a noblewoman, she would have been more at ease here than I am.”

Margret’s head lifted briefly in shock. “If you would prefer a different?—”

“The room and dress are beautiful,” I said. “Please extend my appreciation to Philip. I simply miss my home.”

Understanding lit her gaze as she nodded and retreated from the room, leaving me alone with Garron, Darian, and Daemon.

“Where are Eadric and Liam?” I asked.

“Speaking with Philip. They wished to ask more questions about the hanging without upsetting you.”

I frowned. Daemon reached out and tapped the bridge of my nose.

“You are not fragile, we know. But your tears break our hearts. We would prefer not to cause more of them.”

“But when I’m crying, someone can cuddle me. Isn’t that a fair trade?”

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