Selene's hands came down and rested in her lap.
She straightened slightly. Trying to pull herself together.
"Yeah. When I told her about this, she snapped." Her voice came steadier now. "Thought I had considered—"
"Marrying her off?" Alaric tilted his head.
"No." Selene looked at him directly. "She thought I was considering... using my own body. To solve this."
She swallowed hard.
"I would never put my daughter in that situation. Never. I'd sell everything we own. Do anything before I let her be used that way."
Her jaw set.
"But Elina... she doesn't understand that I'd do the same for myself. That I wouldn't sacrifice my own dignity either. She just heard their 'suggestions' and assumed I was actually considering them."
Alaric moved closer, around the desk until he stood directly in front of her chair.
"You're not in any condition to handle this right now. Get some rest first."
"No. I need to—" She started to stand, protesting.
