KAEL
Damn it. I forgot, for one moment, that I couldn’t command her like one of my own.
“Sit down,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Or I will make you sit.”
Nothing about my tone invited argument. Still, she stood there, stiff and defiant.
“There is nothing you can say or do that will make me mate with you,” I went on. “This is your best option, whether you like it or not. You spoke so loudly about freedom. I’m giving it to you now. I’ll make sure you have enough money to live on for the rest of your life. If you’re that desperate to get away from your father, I’ll send you to another territory. You’ll have funds. You’ll live alone. Free.”
I paused, then added the truth.
“It’s more than you deserve.”
Her eyes flared with raw anger. It wasn’t pretty. It was sharp and ugly and real.
