Chapter 82

"Fail and I'll begin negotiations with potential buyers."

I went cold. "You said you weren't interested in that kind of chaos."

"My interests change over time."

"Five days it is. Do any of them know about my magic?"

"No. Moran - " The Queen smirked as if it amused her to call him that. "He assured them that Omar was choking on the feather and that all you did was pull it out. That is the extent of your involvement in his recovery." She motioned me out on to the terrace. "The families are down by the gazebo. I'll leave you to it."

Yeah, right. More like you'll watch my every move.

"I will endeavor to live up to your confidence in me," I said.

She inclined her head. Not in acknowledgment of my efforts. More in "yes, of course you will or I'll crush you."

I stepped outside.