Maerilee

The moment the words leave Permiton’s mouth, I freeze. My mind scrambles to make sense of what he’s just said, but all I feel is a surge of anger, hot and immediate. Did he really just suggest that? That I should, no, that I must, sleep with all of them? My hand moves before I can stop it, and the sharp crack of the slap echoes through the room.

Permiton doesn’t react the way I expect him to. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t show any sign of anger or surprise. Instead, he stands there, his expression unchanged, his eyes focused and unwavering.

That’s when it hits me. He’s not joking....