‘I was surprised,’ said Laurent, ‘the first time.’ ‘The first time?’ said Damen. Another silence. ‘He poisoned my horse,’ said Laurent. ‘You saw her, the morning of the hunt. She was already feeling it, even before we rode out.’ He remembered the hunt. He remembered the horse, fractious and covered in sweat. ‘That…was your uncle’s doing?’ The silence stretched out. ‘It was my doing,’ Laurent said. ‘I forced his hand when I had Torveld take the slaves to Patras. I knew when I did it…it was ten months to my ascension. Time was running out for him to make a definitive move against me. I knew
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