It was harder than I thought to confess everything to Ethpeal, but it was time she knew the truth and I couldn't afford to hold anything back, not even my own mistakes and missteps. Ethpeal didn't judge, simply sat on her bed and listened to me carefully as I filled her in on all of the troubles her mother caused-those I suspected and those I knew of for certain-since Thaddea's death. If she blamed me for anything she didn't show it, and it was quite some time after my story came to a halt before she spoke.
"You were right not to involve the Council," she said at last. "I've known since I was a baby there was something terrible about my mother and she's only proven her evil tonight. And though we must endure Mother's rule for a few years, it is my plan to watch and wait for the right time
