Chapter 27

Ronan's POV

Elara Voss had been free for fourteen hours and had already reorganized my infirmary, insulted my grandfather, corrected Soren's translation of three ancient records, and informed me that my bloodline was an administrative disaster.

I understood immediately where Mara came from.

We returned to Black Hollow before sunrise. Maeve confined Elara to a bed. Elara ignored her. Maeve threatened sedation. Elara called her bluff. Maeve produced the syringe. Elara finally lay down.

"I like her," Mara whispered beside me.

"She terrifies me."

"Good instincts."

For one reckless moment, I pictured a child asleep beside Grimm while Mara argued with me across our kitchen table. I wanted that life badly enough to frighten mys