Chapter 59

Sonia, of course, had no intention of playing just one card. "And besides," she added, "my mom's birthday is next month. I'd like to be on that cruise so I can bring back a special gift. It would mean a lot to me." She played the family card, then tossed out another chip. "I'm fluent in Valanthean, Jorican, Drosven, Ithari, and Falric. If we run into foreign guests, I could serve as your interpreter." While Sonia was piling on reasons, Lucies caught a flicker of movement on the staircase above. The glimpse was fleeting, but he knew the silhouette instantly—Valerie. So, the little fox had been hiding upstairs, eavesdropping. He remembered how she'd studied the invitation on his desk last night. Was she interested in the cruise auction as well? A spark of vindictive amusement stirred in him. Maybe it was time to teach her a lesson. She needed to learn that only by yielding and submitting could she get what she wanted. At the same time, he reminded himself not to let Valerie pull hi