“Speak, Courtesan. Say what it is you've come to say so I may go back to my work. But do not expect me to believe your honeyed lies.”I exhaled, unable to look at him.“I was awake all night, planning, repeating what I wanted, what I needed to say. All the other courtesans, Daniel, the guards, staff, even Yaru, depend on me somehow fixing all this. The debt on my head is so large that if I don't, they'll all be sold, laid off or tainted.”I glanced up at him, but his face hadn't changed.“Knowing they all need me, I thought I was prepared to say whatever would fix this. To utter whatever lies were required.”He folded his arms, letting out an almost satisfied hmmph at my admission.“But I cannot lie to you. In truth, I never intended to claim virginity when I was resurrected. The initial decision was taken out of my hands. But this one has not been. The claim I had a husband is true. And we were intimate.” I paused as I felt the first tear fall, fighting to keep my voice steady while I
Read more