“Well—”
“Come, come! I thought you might offer to marry the girl. Now that your way is clear.”
Dain drew a deep breath, desirous of casting no offense. “ ‘Tis Mandria she wants to rule, not Nether.”
“Damne! What’s this?” Verence stared at him. “Has she rejected you?”
“We have talked. Our mutual decision is no.”