Chapter 25: Usurped
I gasp. Cadence’s jaw drops. Maryam c***s her head, eyes narrowing.
“I see. You wish to give your poor old . . .” she omits the word mother with a faint smile. “Well. You propose to give me a break in my decrepitude, to take my mantle upon yourself, is that it? Leave me to enjoy my twilight years without the relentless burden of responsibility?”
She stands, gesturing to the chair she’s just vacated. “By all means, then: show me how you lead. You will sit in my place, rule in my stead. You will keep this child in line, choose the sacrifices and see the Mara fed, monitor the condition of the barrier and turn back any attack. What, did you think I would recoil in horror? That I would refuse any respite extended me?”
Ravel offers her his arm. When she takes it, he usher
