Page 229 of Sky’s Edge

“Yes.”

“That’s called falling in love, my darling,” he said warmly.

And yes.

A little smugly.

Okay, this was the worst.

But I had to get it over with.

“I’m not going to thank you because of how this came about,” I announced.

“Of course,” he murmured.

“I am going to thank you because he’s pretty mega,” I forced out.

Dad had a hand in making me and forming me, so he was smart enough not to reply.

“That said, I give Tanyn the credit for that,” I added.

“As you should.”

At least we were agreed on that.

Dad changed the subject. “Tanyn says they’re working hard to get a handle on things.”

“You and Tanyn talk?”

“Not daily, but he holds my daughter’s safety in his hands, so he keeps me informed.”

I supposed I could give him that.

“Yes. They are,” I confirmed. “Working very hard, that is. And maybe getting an understanding of a few things.”

Dad summed it up succinctly. “History is full of cowards who fear progress.”

Too true.

“It’s also full of assholes who get off on amassing power, wielding it and doing shitty things with it, and even shittier things in order not to lose it,” I added.

“Sadly, this is correct,” Dad agreed.

He and I chatted for a bit. We made tentative plans for Tanyn and I to come for dinner before we returned to Sky’s Edge after the engagement party. And we rang off.

It was then I could finally give my full attention to the article I’d pulled up.

It read:

Official word released yesterday from Berg Castle, stated directly from King Tanyn himself, confirms he is courting Catla Truelock, of the Night’s Fall Truelocks.

He also reminded the citizens of Sky’s Edge, “The Demon Rift occurred 481 years ago. This was not a laudable time in Edgian history. But now is a good time to remind the beings of the Edge that the demons in those days were forced out of their homes and away from all they knew due to the tyrannical actions of a king. I believe we have all recently been reminded of how hopeless that feels. But as ever, we rise. We fight. We hope. And we work for better. In this instance, your future queen could be asked to leave her home and all she knows to be at my side, and to serve you. If it is to be Catla, I have no concerns she will earn your respect. In the meantime, I expect it.”

“Well, damn,” I whispered, feeling veritably gooey, and shocker: not minding it.

I read on.

This statement is surely in response to Sky Tales breaking the story that King Tanyn is courting the Fallian female.