Two Hundred Thirty One

He struck me! Again! The first time I could almost forgive, but this second time, before a visiting diplomat, this is too much to bear! How I loathe him in this moment!

I fall back against the meeting table, and find myself staring at the deep grain of the polished stone. I straighten slowly, thinking out how I shall react. I am Lady of Dunn Maris, and I shall act accordingly.

I do not look at him. I look at C'raiven instead. "As you can see," I say quietly. "My Lord is not behaving reasonably in this matter. But I told you in Fayde that you would have to patient, and that is what I ask of you now. I hope you have no doubt that my gratitude is genuine, and my word good."

He looks between us in silence for a long moment. "I will agree to be patient," he replies finally. "But the patience of the dark elves is not as long as our lives."

"That is understandable."

"You will not contradict me," growls Victor.

But I continue to ignore him. "Thank you, C'raiven."

He nods and walks to the door. "And all were hoping the newest Lord of Dunn Maris would be an improvement over the old. How unfortunate it is that is not the case." He nods at me and slips out the door.