"Don't be ridiculous!" Ivy snapped before anyone else could find their voice. "Everyone knows Fiona is low-rank! Mateo, Warden or not, you have no right to make a claim that reckless!"
'No matter what happens, the throne is supposed to be mine!'
Ivy turned on Fiona, teeth clenched and eyes blazing. "And you, Fiona, have you no shame at all? A useless low-rank female like you is good for one thing, and one thing only! Breeding!"
Fiona's hand went still. Then she slowly turned her head and looked at Ivy.
There was nothing dramatic in her expression. But her gaze was so cold that fear flickered through Ivy before she could stop it. Even so, Ivy forced her chin up and held Fiona's stare.
The next voice to break the silence was not Fiona's. "Useless?" Harvey said. "Have all of you forgotte
