Kasta was absent, and although my mind flitted to images of her with Max, I was steadfast in shoving those disturbing thoughts away. The rest of the core group of what I thought of as my ‘tormenters,’ were seated in front of the fire, and as I walked across the hall, there was some laughter as there often was when I was about. But this time I did not ignore it as I’d always done but changed my direction until I was standing near the five of them in their tight little circle.“Good afternoon,” I said calmly. I wished I’d thought this out ahead of time, now I had to think fast. “It’s come to my attention that some of you have trouble with me in my role as lady of the castle.” I smiled at them as they looked at each other, one of them actually smirking at me. Vendevar, of course. “That is unfortunate, for I have decided to chose my ladies, and anyone who has been unkind to me at anytime in the past will not be among them.”Vendevar said, “The Regent will not let you be cruel to Kasta.
