"Wisdom beyond your years," Kieran murmured, and something in his voice made the words sound like a caress. "Your father didn't do you justice in his description."
What exactly did Father tell you about me? I wanted to ask. What details did he share when he was bargaining away my future?
But the questions felt too dangerous, too likely to reveal the true nature of what had brought me here. And part of me—a part I didn't want to examine too closely—wasn't sure I wanted to know what currency Father had used to purchase his family's salvation.
"I'm sure he was... economical with details," I said instead. "He's never been one for elaborate descriptions."
"No," Kieran agreed, his eyes never leaving mine. "He struck me as a man more concerned with immediate necessities than... finer qualitie
