Shalador's Lady

less than what I could have been, and I have to live with that. Every day, I have to live with that.”
    The air between them crackled.
    “You’re not thinking this through, Gray. You’re not seeing this clearly.”
    “Oh, but I am, Prince Grayhaven. I am seeing things quite clearly. You’re the one who wants to ignore what you’ve done and pretend someone else is to blame.”
    “And what have I done?”
    “You drew the line, and now you don’t want to admit that we’re standing on opposite sides. If you make Kermilla the Queen, I will fight her with everything I am—because I would rather die than live one day under her hand.” Gray flung out his right hand, aiming for the flower bed. All the plants and bulbs exploded out of the ground and hung in the air for a moment. The bulbs vanished; the plants fell back into the flower bed.
    A moment later, the basket vanished too.
    “I changed my mind,” Gray said. “I’m taking all the bulbs I planted for Cassie. If your bitch wants a spring garden, she can plant one herself.” He walked away, heading around the house to reach the landing web beyond the gates.
    “Gray!” Theran yelled.
    Gray stopped and turned. “My name is Jared Blaed.”

EBON ASKAVI
    Saetan opened the Gate and stepped through to the Keep in Terreille.
    He was going to have to talk to Gray about the timing of these unscheduled visits. The boy had a knack for catching him at the end of his waking hours.
    He opened the door of the sitting room, then stayed in the doorway, assessing the changes in the man who furiously paced the length of the room.
    “Prince,” he said as he stepped into the room and closed the door.
    Gray rushed toward him, those green eyes filled with a fury that must have been building every minute of the journey here.
    “You have to teach me how to be a Consort,” Gray said.
    “Boyo, I don’t have to teach you anything,” Saetan replied mildly.
    “Theran’s going to break the court,” Gray snapped. “He’s planning to push Cassie out come spring and put that bitch Kermilla in her place.”
    “Gray . . .”
    “It’s not fair! After all the work Cassie has done, all the good she’s done, and he thinks he can snap his fingers and everyone will drop to their knees and lick Kermilla’s ass.”
    “Gray . . .”
    “Well, I’m not licking anyone’s ass, not again, and he is not going to break Cassie’s court. So you—”
    “Gray!”
    Gray drew in one deep breath after another, as if he’d been running hard. His hands were clenched, and there was a wild look in his eyes. “My name is Jared Blaed.”
    “And my name is Saetan. I suggest you remember that.”
    A month ago, he would have been more lenient with the boy. But Jaenelle’s remark that Gray could have been Second Circle changed things. A Warlord Prince who had the personality and strength to stand in the Second Circle of the Dark Court at Ebon Askavi was a dangerous man. Not just because of the Jewels he wore but because of the kind of man he was inside. So Gray was going to be held to some very strict standards from now on.
    “If I become Cassie’s Consort when Theran leaves, then her court won’t break,” Gray said.
    Two Queens. Two courts in a fight for the same Territory.
    If the fight remained between the courts, a few good men would die—and possibly the vanquished Queen as well. If the fight escalated beyond the courts . . . it would be war.
    “This is what is going to happen today,” Saetan said. “You’re coming back with me to the Keep in Kaeleer. I’ll ask Daemon and Lucivar to join us. Then we’ll discuss your concerns and your request for training.”
    Gray opened his mouth, and if he said what the look in his eyes indicated, Saetan wouldn’t hesitate to toss him out of the Keep with the firm understanding that he wouldn’t be allowed back in until he’d learned some manners.
    Apparently Gray had already learned some manners because he reined in his temper and said, “Thank you, sir. That would be appreciated.”
    “Fine. Since I was about to retire and get some rest, I’m going to do that until Daemon and Lucivar arrive. And what will you be doing?”
    A long pause while Gray eyed him warily. “I’m going to be making mulch?”
    Saetan’s smile had a razor’s edge. “I’m delighted we understand one another.”
    “Yes, sir. I’m delighted too.”
    Hardly, Saetan thought as he led Gray to the Gate and opened it to the Keep in Kaeleer.
    After leaving Gray