Chapter 86 The Aftermath

• Six months into the political marriage, I had learned that ruling two kingdoms was significantly more complicated than fighting interdimensional entities.
• The morning council meeting had been particularly brutal, with representatives from both realms arguing over everything from trade routes to tax policy. I sat at the head of the conference table, my fingers unconsciously tracing the skull relics as I listened to Minister Hartwell from the Thornfield delegation argue with Chancellor Blackwood from my father's court about grain tariffs.
• "The eastern provinces can't absorb another increase in agricultural taxes," Hartwell was saying, his face red with frustration. "Our farmers are already struggling to rebuild after the dimensional damage to their fields."