I escaped before Mom could corner me, feeling her release me when I exited the room, though her touch felt sad to just let me go.
I'll talk to you soon, I sent.
I know what your father said to you. She had to drop that on me, my feet stumbling over each other just as I entered the hallway outside the council chamber. At least she spared me the brief moment of humiliation I would have lived through if anyone had seen me trip. Payten told me. She sounded heartbroken, felt furious.
Mom. I sighed in her head. No longer sad, really. Just tired. It's done. I'm done.
Ethie. My mother's love washed over me. I don't know what happened to him, she sent then, disgust winning. No matter what happens, my gorgeous, brave and powerful daughter, you will always be mine. Fierce, proud, adoring. Kind of
