No. No no no. She’d heard of Lucivar Yaslana. Who in Askavi hadn’t heard of Lucivar Yaslana, even though it had been centuries since he’d actually lived in Askavi. He was Luthvian’s son? The ruler of Ebon Rih? She couldn’t possibly stay here. She couldn’t. When Luthvian complained to him about her leaving . . . He could do anything he wanted to her and no one would mutter a word. Warlord Princes were a law unto themselves. Even in Terreille the ones who weren’t kept on a tight chain were treated cautiously, and everyone knew the rules that applied to every other male didn’t apply to them. Couldn’t apply to them.

“Lady Marian,” he said.

Had she already done something wrong? Was he already angry with her? She couldn’t stay here.

Jaenelle huffed. “I’m sorry. I really have to go.” Her hand brushed Marian’s shoulder. “I’ll be back in a day or two to see how you’re doing.”

Then she was gone, and Marian was left facing a man who, even doing nothing, was a hundred times more dangerous than the five Warlords who had tried to kill her.

“Why don’t you sit down?” Lucivar said, tipping his head to indicate the nearest of four chairs that were on either side of a large pine table.

Not knowing what else do to, Marian pulled out the chair and sat down.

“Would you like some coffee?” he asked.

She nodded, but kept her eyes focused on the table. She flinched when he set a white mug in front of her, but he stepped back, putting enough distance between them that she could breathe again.

“Did my sister explain anything on the way here?”

Startled, Marian looked up. “Sister?” Luthvian hadn’t mentioned a daughter.

“Jaenelle,” Lucivar said. “She’s my sister.”

That should have been comforting. It wasn’t. But there was one thing she had to know. “Does anyone else live here?”

“Tassle lives with me. He’s—”

She heard the click of nails on stone a few seconds before a wolf appeared in the archway. Yaslana kept a wild animal for a pet?

The wolf came forward slowly, the tip of his tail waving as he sniffed her hand. She didn’t move, didn’t dare even twitch when he stepped closer to sniff her feet and legs, his tail waving with more enthusiasm. But she jumped when he suddenly pushed his muzzle between her legs. That’s when Yaslana stepped forward, grabbed the wolf by the scruff of the neck, and pulled him away.

“Go outside, Tassle,” Lucivar said, his voice, although quiet, demanding instant obedience.

With a whuffle-whine, the wolf left the kitchen.

Lucivar stepped away. The move brought him to the archway rather than moving back into the kitchen. “Relax for a few minutes and finish your coffee. Then I’ll show you to your room.” He left, not waiting for her answer.