Page 70 of Knight's End
My demand was met with silence.
Shite. Did I ask for too much? I was improvising.
Dammit all. So much for being good at something, I chastised myself.
No, she’s mentally reviewing pictures of the territory up there. She’s trying to remember numbers. She’s listing out the family names of those up north, who might give you a hard time, who might move south. Seems like she’s taking things seriously.
I thought she was supposed to be a pushover. Quinn?
She used to talk nearly as much as I ever have. My people never had direct conversations with her because she hardly spoke.Quinn responded.And she was very sick the past two years.
I struggled to stay patient and keep my face neutral as I waited for Corinna’s response.
Corinna cleared her throat and asked, “Can I have my rabbit, please? Edward doesn’t like to be away from me.”
I swallowed a laugh. “We called him Shiter here before Donaloo gifted him to you.”
I gestured for Blue to hand over his rabbit-shifted brother, who immediately cuddled up to Corinna. She stroked his fur and kissed the top. “That’s a horrid name for a sweet little man.”
I bit down on a smile and exchanged a look with Blue.
Do I want to know what she’s thinking now?
She’s wondering if she can ask for anything in return.
Oh, good. After Donaloo and the flower thing, I think Quinn’s kind of twisted my mind. I was expecting … other sorts of thoughts.
Quinn jumped into the conversation at that point. He couldn’t resist after I mentioned him.What were you thinking she was thinking, Dove?He moved close to me and his grey eyes studied mine.Was it something dirty?he asked, giving me a naughty grin.
Hush. I’m busy negotiating a peace treaty.I turned away before I could blush. I couldn’t help if the fact that Dini and Donaloo had somehow managed the deed. Or that it made me wonder about this princess.
Dove—
Quick, tell Connor to ensure when he draws up a map, that it has that hedgewitch lodge on it. I don’t want anyone else getting access to that place.
Quinn left me alone to relay that message as Corinna glanced back up at me.
“You have someone take out those husbands my mother forced on me and you have a deal.”
I leaned forward with a smile to shake her hand. “Done. It might take a bit. War and all.”
Corinna nodded. “I’ve survived their attention this long.”
We shook. “I’m going to leave you with Connor to draw up the paperwork. I’ll have some food sent in. After you sign, you can be on your way.”
Corinna’s eyes narrowed. “That’s really it?”
I nodded. “Unless you don’t withdraw your troops. Then I’ll pelt your kingdom with gargoyles until it’s as pitted as teenager’s face.”
Corinna gave a smile. “I look forward to our alliance.”
So did I. One enemy down. But I had two to go.
I marched out of the green parlor, Blue trailing behind me. Quinn met us in the hall. And instead of being naughty, as I expected after his stunt with the frozen courtier, he looked sad.
“What is it?” I reached for his hands.
He didn’t respond immediately. He swallowed hard first.There are two things. One worse than the other.
