A pause that stretched like a wound.
"Still trying to bind him. Trying, yet again, to take something precious from me."
The blood drained from Cassiopeia's face so fast she felt dizzy, the room tilting for a moment as if the floor had dropped away beneath her.
"Or did you think — did you think, Cassiopeia — that I did not know what had brought you?" Melissa asked, voice low and trembling with old fury. "Every Maxton who has walked into a room I was in for the last years as the wife of your family, has come for the same reason — to take something, or to watch something be taken. Your two brothers. Your ancient aunts and uncles. Your cousins. You. The order was always the same. Go see what she has. Go see what she still loves. Go see what we can take next."
Melissa drew a slow, shaking breath that sounded like it hurt coming out.
