The Gamma spoke again. "Drakenfell, Bloodmoon, and Shadowclaw will retaliate. They will send reinforcements."
"Yes. But the response time from any allied kingdom to Darkhowler will be delayed. We will hold the castle in two. Kill the heir before reinforcements arrive. Kill him, kill the matebond clouding my daughter's judgment, and the political justification for intervention dissolves. No mate, no Luna, no alliance obligation. Darkhowler becomes an internal Viremont matter."
Agnes's blood went cold. Kill the heir. Kill Garrett. The words landed on her chest and stopped her breathing, because her father had just spoken the death of the man she loved with the same casual efficiency he used to discuss supply lines.
