THREE WEEKS LATER
Lyanna stood in the town hall of Millbrook, watching the mixed vampire-human council sign their newly drafted cooperation agreement.
"Your Majesty." The vampire elder said. Lyanna had asked them to stop using that title but that hadn't stopped them. "We cannot thank you enough. Without your guidance, there would have been violence in the territory."
"It's you who did all the hard work. I just helped with a conversation you were already ready to have."
She had succeeded once again. She felt satisfied, but instead of happiness, there was emptiness.
When she returned to her temporary lodgings that evening, she found Roland waiting for her.
"Two more requests came in today." He said, showing her the letters.
"That's good." Lyanna said, though her tone didn't match her words.
"You don't sound happy about it."
"I am happy." Lyanna replied. "This is exactly what I wanted. I should be thrilled. But…"
"But?"
