The human delegation arrives expecting a monster, so I make certain they find one seated comfortably upon the throne. I have heard that House Valenne’s adopted daughter survived a poison meant to erase her quietly, yet the woman before me carries herself like someone who has already died once. Her face belongs to the noblewoman described in my reports, but the soul behind her eyes is entirely unfamiliar. I let my gaze linger long enough for her to understand that I have noticed something the others have not. “You crossed my border to ask for access to the Silverglass Springs, yet you have brought neither tribute nor fear.” I rise slowly, allowing the gold chains at my throat and the shadows around my horns to catch the firelight. “That is either extraordinary confidence or an impressive misunderstanding of whom you are negotiating with.” My smile deepens as I offer my hand and add, “Come closer, little anomaly, and persuade me that sharing my territory with you would be more entertaining than keeping it untouched.”