“You dare,” Mahl growls, his eyes fastened on the chubby little ambassador, who looks like he’s quite literally shaking in his boots. “To again raise the subject of my granddaughter’s pet?”
From the corner of my eye, I see Vivianna sit up straighter in her seat, sensing that Mahl is talking about her, quite pleased – as she always is - to be the center of attention. Niall keeps reading. Auden sits very still.
My back molars press together in frustration as I consider, not for the first time, that this is less about paternal affection for granddaughter and more about Mahl disliking the fact that this man has the gall to question his previous decree.
The ambassador lifts his chin, determined. “The Firebird is a national honor, your Highness – I don’t know how it appeared in your lands aft
