"Was it really a wise choice, my lady?"
Kaelith's maid spoke, her voice unusually uncertain. The same woman who always spoke with firm conviction now sounded hesitant.
Kaelith understood exactly what she meant. She didn't ask for clarification. Instead, she countered with a question of her own, "Are you doubting your younger sister?"
Avalin shook her head. "Young Master values loyalty, and I would stake my life on Marilyn's. She will not disappoint him. But the Emberclad family… I cannot be certain of them."
She let out a heavy sigh. "The alliance is crucial, now that Lord Cravanvor knows Lord Argon supports us. But under these circumstances… if Lady Averis steps back—since she never had the chance to be the young master's mate—wouldn't that leave us at a disadvantage?"
Argon had come to Aethernox with the proposal precisely because of his grandchild's obsession with the Chaos Heir.
