“Oh, yes, yes. Gods, but he wearies me! Don’t fret, good Livdor. I’m not so blind or unfeeling. I know what is said of me in these halls and in the public houses. But I hold this throne and will not give it up to such as he.”
“Imro aid you, dear princess.”
“Strength to you, good Livdor. Now, I would retire for the afternoon….”
Livdor slapped his chest, bowed, and strode from the hall. But as he walked away, his heart was heavy. Was the princess so foolish, so blind, after all? Did he realize more than she just how great was the threat? Was Desdira but a prettied and protected young woman, at that? Three years, Livdor considered, is a long time to look at the world alone. Here was Desdira, without her parents, and were it to come down to it, with only one old man true to her since her bi
