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“Is it so hard to believe when his only son is being held at the Bellfire Tower awaiting his execution?”

Charles hesitated, wheels spinning in his head, until he cleared his throat. “If what you’re telling me is true, the man is demented to hit a woman like that.” Movement caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but notice Marissa shift uncomfortably, looking away from Charles to the floor.

“I don’t buy it,” Charles spat. “And even if it were true, what will everyone else think? All of those, thosethingswere on full display. Everyone has seen them.”

“Thenusethem,” Sasha said, her patience waning. “You’re a smart man, Charles. One of the most brilliant strategists I know. Mara’s story is captivating. It has deceit, betrayal, love. Make the First Daughter of Telvia the poor girl you rescued from the clutches of her own father. Show her scars as proof that Raúl isevil…a man willing to disfigure his own daughter simply because she fell in love with a Dissenter.”

Charles’s eyes glimmered, the wheels turning once again. “A victim…a victim who the North has saved, giving her refuge.”

“Yes,” Sasha agreed. “A poor, lovesick girl who has been rescued by the most noble of presidents,” Sasha continued, stroking Charles’s ego. “Imagine how much more revered you would be by your people. And the Telvians? They will grovel at your feet for saving their beloved First Daughter. It would be like a fairytale.”

I raised a brow at that one, staring at Sasha. The woman was a master of lies, a side of her I hadn’t seen before. Weaving truth and farce into a tapestry that was believable and enticing. I was nobeloved First Daughter. People barely knew I existed until I was declared dead and made to be a martyr. But I kept my mouth shut. Feel as I may about Sasha’s lies, they were helping me at the moment.

“Yes,” Charles muttered under his breath. “Yes, a helpless Telvian soul who has found solace in the North.”

“As good as the tale sounds, my dear,” Marissa cut in, “I’m not sure I believe this story. I think the wedding should be called off.”

“That’s not your decision to make, Mom. It’s mine.” Wes said. “And I’ve made my choice.”

“Hush, boy. The last order I gave you was not to propose until we settled this funny business. You disobeyed me for the last time, Wes. Don’t think that your insolence will go unpunished.”

Wes stiffened, balling his hands into fists. I squeezed his arm, urging him to stay quiet. His chin tipped my direction, jaw clenched and eyes smoldering, but he stayed silent.

Sasha spoke up. “I understand your hesitation, Lady Calvernon, I really do. But this girlisthe daughter of Raúl de la Puente. If she were not, why would she be so intent on rescuing a man that wasn’t of her own flesh and blood?”

“Simple,” Marissa challenged, her gaze throwing daggers at Sasha. “She’s in love with the First Son of Telvia.”

“Ew,” the sound escaped my lips, but Marissa ignored me.

“She’s in love with Jacob de la Puente and is usingmysonto rescue her true love.”

“He’s my brother!” I interjected.

“I don’t believe you,” Marissa shot back. “Mara de la Puente was pronounced dead months ago!”

“Enough!” Charles yelled, slamming his hand on his desk. “I’ve heard enough.” The room fell into silence. Charles watched us under scrutinizing eyes before he paced back and forth behind his desk. I chanced a glance at Sasha, but her look of confidence and complete calm was firmly in place, her gaze transfixed on the President of the North. After a moment, Charles cleared his throat and stopped pacing, turning to face her.

“I’ll buy this story for now. We’ve been allies since the beginning of this mess, Sasha. I trusted you then. I’ll trust you now. But so help me, if I discover that she”—he threw a pointed finger at me—“is not a true de la Puente, you can consider the alliance between the North and the Dissenters over.”

Sasha closed her eyes, appearing contrite as she bowed her head momentarily before opening them and looking at Charles once more. “Of course. I guarantee, however, that I’ve brought you a true de la Puente child. You have nothing to fear.”

“Mmm, yes,” he said dubiously. “Time will tell.”

Sasha said nothing in return, holding her head up higher, always maintaining her air of composure. “Is there anything else you would like to review, Charles? As you can imagine, I have a very busy day ahead of me, as I’m sure your son and Miss de la Puente do as well.”

Charles pursed his lips, weighing something in his head before he finally cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I suppose that’ll do for now. I appreciate your time, Sasha, and your willingness to come see me on such short notice.”

Sasha tipped her head in acknowledgement. “Of course. Now, why don’t these two come with me? I know they are already late for their training.”

“That won’t be necessary. I have further matters to discuss with them.”

Sasha’s face grew serious for a moment before she swept a smile across it. “I see. Well, I can wait for them outside. No need to have so many vehicles driving to the same location.”

“I said thatwon’tbe necessary.” Charles grew austere. “In fact, let me have someone escort you to your vehicle, President De’vor.”

Sasha met Charles’s aggressive stare head on, holding it before she finally sighed. “Very well. No need for the escort, Charles. I believe I can make it there myself.” With that, she turned on her heels, catching my gaze for a second before walking to the door and leaving the room.

I shifted my attention back to Charles Calvernon. And what happened next sent my world spinning head over foot once again, because everything was about to change. I just didn’t know it yet.