Chapter 20 Might As Well

• Maerilee
• The moment the words leave Permiton’s mouth, I freeze. My mind scrambles to make sense of what he’s just said, but all I feel is a surge of anger, hot and immediate. Did he really just suggest that? That I should, no, that I must, sleep with all of them? My hand moves before I can stop it, and the sharp crack of the slap echoes through the room.
• Permiton doesn’t react the way I expect him to. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t show any sign of anger or surprise. Instead, he stands there, his expression unchanged, his eyes focused and unwavering.