Chapter 57

Mara's POV

Frostmere's defection hurt more than Grayfen's.

Grayfen had never promised us anything. Frostmere had stood in Black Hollow, signed the Open Oath, and voted to protect nine children from execution.

By morning, their Alpha was on a founder transmission praising Severin's "stable freedom."

Lucien watched the recording twice.

"Stable freedom is an ugly phrase."

"It is also effective," Soren said. "He is not promising a return to the old Concord. He is promising local autonomy with permanent command network."

I looked around the coalition chamber.

"Then we stop pretending everyone who disagrees with us is enchanted." Several delegates shifted.

One of