Chapter 6: Lucas Brings a Ring

Ansel moved in front of me before I saw him do it.

"Sit down, Thackwell," Lucas said, bored. "I came to talk, not to fight."

"You came alone," Ansel said.

"Because I can afford to."

Lucas held up the ring on its loop of fishing line and let it swing.

"Toivo is in the east wing with a pot of coffee and a view of the pines.

"He's fine. He's also very worried about his only daughter."

"Give me the ring," I said.

"After I say my piece."

He tucked it into his coat pocket.

"Here is the offer. Father and I discussed it all night."

He spread his hands, reasonable and handsome and kind.

"You marry me at the Claim Rite.

"Father calls it a Claim, but it's only a wedding, with cake."

"A wedding," Hattie said. "With cake."

"The Seat keeps the Apex safe, and the Apex belongs to the Seat's family.

"That's how it has worked for three hundred years."

He smiled at me.

"You would live at Highgate, in the best rooms, with every comfort.

"Your father's debt is erased, and he gets a new garage."

"And Ansel?" I asked.

Lucas glanced at him with open contempt.

"The hound stays a hound. Father keeps his leash."

I felt Ansel go rigid against my shoulder.

"You're asking me to hand a man a collar," I said, "and call it a wedding."

"I'm asking you to be sensible, Dara.

"You do it every day. You take a broken engine, and you decide what it's for."

I looked at him for a long second.

He really believed that it was a compliment.

"No," I said.

"Dara."

"No."