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Valerie tried not to shudder.I am not safe here.She was one of the most hated species on Earth.

Focusing on her food, she tried her hardest to avoid participating or sharing her opinion.

Often, she thought of Bradwick as warm and light. There was something about the kind treble in his voice, the handsome features of his face, that it made it easy for him to appear this way. Still, there was an air around him when he was angry, like he wouldn’t tolerate it. He wouldn’t tolerate her not giving her opinion when she very much didn’t want to.

“My answer solely depends on if I am presented with a white or a dark Witch to punish.”

“There is often a long-winded answer when you speak. Why would it matter whether they are a dark or a light wielder? They are Witches, and they deserve eternal punishment.”

With a sigh, Valerie said, “From what I have been told, white Witches have never caused harm. Keeping them imprisoned is near impossible, since they will escape unless bound correctly. I believe they should be released.”

“Unbelievable. What if they turn? You have just allowed a Witch to go who may later turn evil.”

“But what if they do not? What if you are killing an innocent person who wants nothing more than to live their life? It is not guaranteed they will become corrupt.”

My family has not. I will be the first.

Bradwick waved his hand like he was done with that part of the conversation, but she could tell he was not satisfied with her answer. “Fine. What if it is an evil Witch, then? Would you release that creature as well?”

“Not at all,” Valerie smiled. “They deserve every lick of flame given to them, since they are rather vile.”

“Well, that is an answer I am much more appreciative of.” He turned back to his food.

Valerie was thankful when the conversation became more relaxed. She could hear flutes, drums, and a guitar being played in the background. It softened the atmosphere when they weren’t played as enthusiastically.

“Tomorrow, we will all play games on the lawns with the court,” Bradwick told them. “I am interested to know if you ladies are able to play bowls.”

She couldn’t think of anything worse. She also didn’t want to be in the banquet hall for much longer, but she knew she couldn’t be the first one to retire again.

I will remain until King Bradwick does.

Her opinion had been forced from her, but now she worried about her connection to the king.I may need information; perhaps I should have lied.

Valerie was trying her hardest to be calm and collected, but every minute she wasted not looking for her sister, the more she feared she was running out of time.

I want to find my sister.She needed to locate her whereabouts before whoever was holding her unfairly hurt a six-year-old girl.I miss her.

Geryon found Cecily laying on one of the many sofa bed lounges in the main library – a place often vacant of courtiers.

She had a small book opened, using her thumb as she lay back with her feet up. Her body was half turned to the side, her knees slightly bent while her free hand was above her head.

Even alone, she appears composed.Not once had Geryon seen her act without the appearance of a high lady.

Although hehadseen her behave with artful jabs of feminine malice towards the other ladies. He didn’t believe anyone else had noticed.

She has even low jabbed the nobles of court.They didn’t seem to realise she’d done such things to them.

For four days, the palace doors had been open to the daughters of the dukes. For four days, he’d been watching them. Well...her,really.

The more Cecily interacted with others, forced to attend functions, the more he himself wished to interact with her.I wonder if I will get to see her devious nature being used against me.

Geryon grinned. He wanted to banter with her, the kind saturated in spite and cattiness.She glares at me often with those cold eyes.She glared even though he’d never uttered a single word to her, or any of the other ladies, for that matter.

He wanted to see her react, wanted to see what kind of emotions he could push from her blank stare. He wanted to see if he could bring her to anger, even embarrassment.I doubt I would ever be able to make this woman cry.He wondered if he could get her to share a genuine smile with him.

The only way she would share these things with him was if they were alone.

King Bradwick had been spending time with each female periodically throughout the past four days. He would attend court functions, such as duck racing, or playing games of ball and stick on the palace grounds outside with the ladies.