“We want Rona to think she’s won,” Eli countered. “If she has any idea whatsoever that you’re contemplating rising up against her, Kit, what she did to me is the least of our worries. I have no doubt in my mind the next time it will be far worse. And if we’re not ready, if our allies and confidants aren’t informed, we will all fall, no matter how just or true our cause is, and no matter how many of the citizens would prefer you to her.”
Kit wanted to argue, but she was afraid he was right. She slumped back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling for a moment, trying to come up with a response that let her slap her mother across the face and still pretend she wasn’t considering usurping her power and taking the throne. There didn’t seem to be a way.
