Valka draws herself up. “I know how to deal with her far better than you do, princess. I hope you will take comfort in your remembered royalty when I am done with you.” “And what will you take comfort in when you are found out, Valka? The gallows? The executioner’s smile? You cannot carry this off.” She smiles poisonously. “I already have.” For a long moment, we glare at each other, the silence between us deafening. Then I dip my head. “I cannot imagine we have anything left to say to each other.” “No,” she agrees.
