When Uther returned home that day, he made a beeline for his study, not talking to anyone until he was sitting in the spacious room in silence. His jaw was tight with frustration and his eyes cold with fury. He couldn't believe how quick she had been able to turn the elders against him. It was so fast he still found it so hard to believe. 

This wasn't how things were supposed to play out but it was clear from the foregoing that that was how she wanted to play this game. She had always been a headache. When he'd authorised the first attack and had spoken with Micah afterwards,...