What did he say?
He realized that he had never been tonguetied on any subject before.
The stares were becoming choking, the sly grins pathetic.
"I have an interest in the Stenly family. Her father served in my court faithfully to the end of his days - and I only want to see to it that his daughters are well taken care of."
Jarren's smug smile vanished.
"I take care of my nieces as though they are my own children." His voice was unnervingly calm.
Yeren nearly choked on the outrageous lie.
"Your fatherly skills are not on trial."
A brief laugh went through the whole court.
Jarren reddened when he discovered that they were all laughing at his expense.
"If my paternal skills are not on trial, why then do you seek to protect the Stenly girls from me?"
Yeren leaned back, finally feeling like he was the one in control once again.
The man across the room grounded his fist.
Yeren was beginning to enjoy provoking him until he reddened and popped like a ripe cherry.
