A Marriage of Swords
“Only duty. Same as you.”
Briana’s smile was thin and unconvinced. “Duty wears many dresses. Some are just better suited for hiding armor. Remember, alliances can be forged outside of marriage beds.” She glided away, leaving the scent of expensive perfume and unspoken threat in her wake.
The encounter left Leigh unsettled. Briana was a viper, but a useful one. She had resources, eyes, and ears. She could be an asset or a catastrophic liability. Leigh filed the information away, another piece on a growing mental board.