Page 65 of The Silver Spider
“Let her talk,” Serephone said sharply. “What the hell does that mean?”
“You are spawn, your birth unauthorized, and you’ve already refused the oath. You will be fighting for your life.”
There was silence, several breaths worth, during which neither she nor Amnan moved.
“Will the household warriors have orders to try to kill me?”
“That is at the discretion of the warrior; some may take pity on you if they feel you worthy and forfeit the round. In this case, it is considered a declaration that your life is more valuable to the house than your death, rather than them acknowledging an actual defeat.”
“Allow me—”
Amnan interrupted her. “Do we have time to curry allies?”
Anissa regarded him. “On your own? No. There is no great love of dragons here. But I may be able to do something. What do you offer?”
“I own a controlling share in the only coal mine in this province.”
Anissa glanced at Serephone. “And you are an animage. Which will be interesting to some. Let me go, there is very little time.”
“Wait,” Serephone said. “Why are you doing this?”
Her elder sister winced. “Never ask a fae what their motives are. You must entice them to give you the information you require—make it in their best interests.”
Serephone sighed. “I am not fae.”
“You are.” Anissa swept out of the room.
“This situation keeps getting less and less amusing,” Amnan growled in her ear.
“Never was amusing.” She turned in his arms. “What are you doing, Amnan?”
He sighed, irritated. “The same question over and over again. I can think of better ways to spend our time.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Training.”
