greater than a few miles of land. Be grateful
that’s all we’re asking of you.”
The man sneered. “And what if I was to
bargain with you?”
Chaol rolled his eyes, reaching to turn his
chair back toward the door.
His father lifted a piece of paper. “Don’t
you wish to know what your brother wrote to
me?”
“Not enough to stop this alliance,” Chaol
said, pivoting his chair away.
His father unfolded the letter anyway, and
read, “I hope Anielle burns to the ground. And
you with it.” A small, hateful smile. “That’s
all your brother said. My heir—that’s how he
feels about this place. If he will not protect
Anielle, then what shall become of it without
you?”
Another approach, to guilt him into
relenting. Chaol said, “I’d wager that Terrin’s
lily
(lily)
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