Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Courtiers filled the chamber, and their conversation ended in an instant. They watched as we swept along the royal dais, where guards stood shoulder to shoulder.
“That was some introduction,” I murmured.
Sebastian stopped in the center, in front of two thrones. Two. His and hers. My heart slammed against my ribs. I’d expected to stand at his side. This was… this…
The new throne was crafted from the same blackened coral as his, its back swept up in elegant curves. Like wings. Dragon wings. Deep sapphire velvet cushioned the seat, threaded faintly with ember-tones that caught the light.
It looked like something that belonged in Olyssa’s palace. Something Sebastian should only present to his wife.
But that wasn’t all. Directly behind the chairs, positioned dead center, was a pedestal displaying my music box.
“Do you like your throne?” he asked softly, and those slamming beats of my heart grew faster.
“I love it.” My legs trembled. But I wasn’t his queen. Though I might be, and probably was, his firebrand. Even still, I shouldn’t be sitting here. We’d known each other only a matter of days. “Sebastian—”
“I want this, Brona.” He urged me down, and I could do nothing but sit.
He eased onto his own throne, and I let myself disappear inside a bubble for ten seconds before pasting a smile on my face, accepting an honor that wasn’t yet mine. Because I wanted it, too.
Freyja arrived and took her place behind me, clipboard against her chest, gaze already assessing the room.
Sebastian placed his hand over mine, providing a welcome link, and called, “The sea demands its due.”
“The sea will have its due,” the crowd called back.
In the ensuing quiet, the king motioned to the herald, the man who’d introduced me only two days ago.
As another servant opened the doors, the herald announced, “A messenger from the Isle of Blodholm.”
Blood island.
A teenage boy hurried over and bowed, somber from head to toe. “I was out hunting fish, majesty. Was only gone a few hours. When I returned to my village, everyone was just… gone. There was no wreckage. No evidence of a struggle. Just empty huts.”
My dragon growled, growing talons from my nails. Jokull.
“Thank you for alerting me.” Sebastian curled his fingers into mine. “You will accompany a contingent of my soldiers to your village. Answer their questions. If your people are there, we’ll find them and bring them home.”
The boy straightened with pride. “Já, majesty.”
Dismissed with a nod. As the boy hurried away, a lock-jawed Sebastian motioned to a soldier, who strode to his side. “Extend a third invitation to the outer settlements. They may have sanctuary in Krakenströnd.”
The guard rushed off, leaving me with questions. I leaned into Sebastian to whisper into his ear. “Has Jokull bypassed a layer of the dome?” How else would he have gotten into Blodholm? But here was Sebastian, perfectly fine.
He turned into me, as if we were exchanging sweet nothings. My mind realized the action was for show, but other parts of me weren’t so convinced.
“Nei,” he told me just as softly. “Many kraken choose a simpler life outside of my realm walls, among the human world.” He rested his hand against my throat, his skin as hot as a brand. “Now. Be warned. I’m going to kiss your cheek.”
Breath hitched in my lungs. A kiss. Sebastian’s kiss. Jaaaa. Give me.
Then he did it. He pressed his lips to my cheek, lingering there, and I could only clasp his wrist and bite back a moan. His head lifted slowly. He met my gaze briefly, then refaced the crowd.
As I struggled to appear nonchalant, as if a sexy cheek kiss hadn’t just rocked my entire world, he waved his fingers. The doors were opened again.
The herald called, “Lord Robert Stefanssan and his daughter, Lady Anna.”
I got a good handle on myself as Lord Robert strode forward with the confidence of a man accustomed to being obeyed. Broad-shouldered and thick through the chest, his armor was polished to a mirror sheen, his beard braided in the style of old kraken nobility. His eyes were sharp and appraising.
At his side walked Lady Anna, an understated brunette, both slender and poised, wearing an ice-blue gown that flowed with each careful step. She kept her hands clasped tightly before her, knuckles pale. Her chin remained lowered in practiced deference. And when she curtsied, it was with the effortless grace of a dancer, controlled, precise and restrained. I approved.
Lord Robert leveled a hot glare on me before focusing on his king and softening his features. “Your Majesty. Our enemies are many, and your strength has never been needed more. How better to help you facilitate your coming victories than with a proper kraken bride? Someone who is loyal to us rather than another berserker faction.”
I almost rolled my eyes. An obvious crack at the unsuitable dragon.