Vitor doesn’t react. Which means this ball-less bastard already knew what I do now. I don’t bother to sugarcoat my response. “Nine,” I say. “I count nine dead Bloodguards. You see an amazing woman,” I tell him flatly. “I see a killer queen, a fallen king, and too many who recklessly died for glory.” He doesn’t react other than to say calmly, “We saved Old Erth that day. The phoenix was a herald of death, razing friend and foe in the thick of battles.” “How many died so that Arrow could claim victory that day and every one since?” Vitor chuckles. He nods as if I didn’t just insult his precious
...more
