“Draw her out,” Surah said. “Make it look like you two are angry and fighting with each other–pitched battle in the halls. If she thinks you’ve weakened each other to the point where she can step in and kill two stones with one bird.…” Or was it kill two birds with one stone? She’d ask Cole next time she sawhim.
“It’s a simple plan,” Cernea said, “and probably all the better for it. Complicated plans tend to goawry.”
“This is all very good,” Sililu said, snapping the skirts of her gown. “But what I am most concerned with is my owndisposition.”
Geza sat back down, staring hard at the female. “You said Surah is taking you off my hands–what’s there to be concernedabout?”
She turned to Malin. “My Lord Malin has not yet given hispermission.”
Malin crossed his arms. “I don’t seewhy—”
“I do.” Cernea stepped forward. “I offered my daughter to the Princes’ in return for my support–in terms of wealth and influence. Support that you will need. However, my daughter was publicly insulted, which significantly lowers her chance of making an advantageous match. The Prince cast her aside–who will wanther?”
Sililu’s mouth tightened. Surah felt a distant sympathy for the female. It seemed barbaric that even in these days and times the disposition of gargoyle females of rank was almostfeudal.
“Malin,” Surah said softly. “I accepted her as my official handmaid. We can figure out the detailslater.”
Geza waved a hand. “Consider it a command from your Prince. And forget this handmaid nonsense, sister. Consider yourselves married, Surah and Lady Sililu. That’s much morebinding.”
“Can he do that?” Surah asked, mouthgaping.
Malin snorted. “No. There are no impartial crediblewitnesses.”
Geza arched a brow at Cernea. “Now would be the time for you to call your guard. Witnesses andall.”
