"I'll let Faith decide her fate," Drake said. He smirked, and a fine wrinkle spread across his cheek, becoming lost in his grizzle stubble. His gaze turned to the ajar door. "And no time is better than now. Come on in, Faith."
She slowly entered the room, her eyes on her uncle, then on her father, and then back to her uncle. Anyone could notice the twirl of emotions in her gaze, ranging from wild enthusiasm to outright belligerence. Her mind wanted to understand what was happening while, on the other hand, she refused to grasp the implications of what she had just heard.
Drake leaned with his bottom against the desk and placed his hands over her shoulders. "Tell me, Faith. Do you want to be the queen of Sundac or live freely for the rest of your life? One can't have both."
Her throat made an odd clicking noise as she drew short, choppy breaths. Her mouth moved, but no words came out.
