Page 84 of Degradation

“What precisely offends you, Lord Hamill? That I lacked the patience to wait until it was convenient for you to provide what we needed or that I’m fully capable of finding them without needing your help? The latter does pose a problem, doesn’t it? Much harder to gain the favor of the princes when you have nothing to provide them.”

His anger grew while, outwardly, he smiled benevolently.

“Offended? Never. The princes are fortunate to have someone with skills of her own on which they can depend.”

“That won’t do,” I said as if to myself but loud enough for all to hear. “I insist you speak what you truly think.” I touched his mind with my intent.

He slammed his hands down on the table, showing his real feelings.

“How dare you approach what’s mine. You may have the favor of the princes now, but it won’t last long. Once the throne is empty, they will have no use for a second-rate harlot caster and look to the noble families for a real queen.”

His mouth snapped shut. His outrage evaporated, replaced by disbelief, shame, and defeat.

“I see,” I said. “And how many of you also feel this way?” As my gaze swept the table, I touched each noble and their wives with my intent, freeing them to speak the thoughts they kept hidden.

“Our daughter should marry Brandle, the true successor,” one woman said.

Another noble’s hand slammed on the table. “She’s betrothed to my son!”

Chaos broke out as they argued amongst themselves. Lord Hammill didn’t join in. His gaze remained fixated on the table, his tumultuous thoughts focused on finding a way to salvage his standing.

“Enough,” I said, silencing them all. “The Foul Queen knows the princes have returned. Posters with drawings of them are being spread around Adele as we speak. While I hope that means she hasn’t yet discovered Brandle and Edmund in her midst, I am not prepared to stake their lives on it.

“Yes, Lord Hamill, that means Brandle and Edmund have been taken. She has held them for the last two days as handsome men for her next breeding. Thank you for paying attention to the conversation again.

“The games to bid for the princes’ favor end tonight. You have a simple choice to make. Fully support the princes without condition in removing the queen or watch the princes leave Adele to its fate.”

“They will never leave their brothers to the queen,” Lord Hamill said.

“Correct. But freeing their brothers needn’t mean that they face the queen.” I took Garron’s hand and smiled at him. “I’ve always wanted to see the south. I’ve heard women there wear pants all the time. Their clothing is almost see-through, mind you. Quite scandalous.”

“I think I would like to see you dress thusly,” Darian said. “I vote yes to going south instead of helping people who have no wish to be helped.”

“I vote yes, too,” Daemon said.

“It’s impossible to sneak into the castle,” one noble said desperately.

“Not if you’re a handsome man. I’m certain that, after visiting a few more casters, I will have the knowledge I need to change my appearance and win my way into the castle, free the princes, and leave Adele before the new day dawns.”

“That does sound appealing,” Eadric said. “We can be back in our cottage tomorrow night. Life was simpler—happier—there.”

“Very true,” Liam said.

I could feel their annoyance with the nobles and their hope that I was only saying what was necessary to sway them. Collectively, the princes didn’t want me going anywhere near the castle, but they weren’t opposed to the idea of returning to the cottage. None of them wanted to leave the people under the queen’s rule, though. Or the nobles, for that matter, now that they’d revealed their hidden intents.

“Choose,” Liam said to them. “Stand with us, or lose everything you hold dear.”

The speed at which they summoned their footmen to send messages to their casters would have been entertaining if not for the time we’d already lost.

Hungry, I dug into the small fowl that was set before me for the next course, purposely ignoring all etiquette. The revulsion of the wives amused me greatly.

“I am beginning to see the trouble you and your sister might have caused in your youths,” Garron said softly beside me.

I flashed a grin at him and continued eating with my fingers and teeth.

Eadric’s desire wrapped around me when I licked my fingers. So I repeated the process. Daemon and Darian’s desire flooded into my well. I connected to them all, even feeling Brandle and Edmund. Their love for me and their exhaustion.

The leg I’d been eating fell to my plate as I stared straight at the woman’s wig across from me and focused on Brandle and Edmund.

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