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)
Sebastian drummed his fingers, irritation rolling from him, and yet, his expression and posture remained bored.
Lady Anna kept her gaze downcast and blushed hard. But mortification wasn’t her most prominent emotion. Fear colored every part of her.
Having not received a verbal response from the king, her father rattled on. “It is with all the devotion in my heart, for you and for Krakenströnd, that I offer my daughter’s hand in marriage.” He didn’t glance at his daughter to gauge her reaction. Not once. Because he didn’t care.
“Do you think I’m weak, Lord Robert?” Sebastian asked, all smooth charm and lethal precision. “Is that what you are trying to tell me?”
The lord recognized the pit he’d dug himself. Paling, he rocked from one foot to the other, saying, “Nei, majesty. Of course not. You are strength incarnate. But I, like everyone, know matters of the heart can topple kingdoms.” Another glance at me. “My Anna is pretty, but not beautiful. Intelligent, but not overly so. She’ll give you strong children, and you’ll never be in danger of surrendering your heart.”
What a horrid man. Poor Anna. She withered more with his every word.
Sebastian traced his fingertips along my forearm, and my pulse skipped.
This gesture signals trust to all who witness it.
The king lingered over the gesture without ever looking away from his citizen. “What do we think of Lord Robert’s generous offer, sweet Brona?”
Flutters spread all over me. “We” again. For show, only for show. But something quieter continued to whisper, What if it isn’t?
I cleared my throat. I hadn’t expected to speak. “I’m certain your opinion is perfection itself.”
“Ah, but your opinion is my opinion, my treasure. So hold nothing back. The court is eager to bask in our wisdom.”
Ash and embers. Must he be so blunt? I’d raised a concern, and here, now, he proved he’d meant his answer.
I had no other choice but to respond as if I truly were the treasured consort. Canting my head at Lord Robert, who jutted his chin with stubborn defiance, I said, “While I’m delighted with Lady Anna and hope we become fast friends—”
Her gaze snapped to me, wide with surprise. She gave me the sweetest, most relieved smile, as if I’d just saved her from a fate worse than death. Hmm. She was that afraid of her king? Or—I looked at Lord Robert’s profile—of someone standing much closer.
“—I find you reprehensible, sir. Anyone who believes a woman’s value lies in her inability to stir a man’s heart misunderstands the true nature of strength entirely. Based on that criterion alone,” I said, finally casting my gaze to the king, “I recommend declining the match and offering the lady a job here in the palace… my darling.”
Unease stirred through the throne room as Lord Robert sputtered.
Sebastian schooled his features into a pout, ever the master illusionist, setting a stage to reflect exactly what he wished: a man utterly besotted with his woman. “No mention of your great desire to keep me for yourself, my dearest?”
A tinkling laugh escaped before I could stop it. Now he was toying with us all, having fun with his performance, and oh, I liked it. I liked him. “My apologies, my precious. I assumed that was obvious and had no need to be stated.”
“You are right.” He reached out slowly, deliberately, and traced a knuckle along my jawbone. “Your great desire for me is obvious to all.”
Goose bumps sprouted over my entire body. Cells ignited. Bones melted.
He kissed my cheek before turning to the lord and snapped, “The offer is declined. Lady Anna will move into the palace and serve as a lady in waiting after undergoing proper training. Next.”
As I reeled—again—out went Lord Robert and Lady Anna. In opposite directions.
Next, the servant at the door heaved a heavy sigh before announcing, “Ambassador Kethrix of the Addermoor.”
The ambassador slithered forward in layered green and black silks, his movements smooth, deliberate. Golden rings adorned his fingers and throat; his pupils narrow slits as his gaze flicked between Sebastian and me.
“Your majesty,” Kethrix said silkily, “I come not with a daughter, but with a concern.” He gestured toward me. “It appears you’ve granted unprecedented influence to an outsider. A dragon. One who now advises your judgments.”
Fresh murmurs spread through the court.
Emboldened by the attention, the ambassador continued. “The Emperor of the Addermoor wonders if this special treatment signals a… realigning of your alliances. And if so, whether a new treaty between our factions must be drawn.”
Sebastian’s expression did not change. “You treat my consort as an ambassador. She is not. Her allegiance is mine. Since the announcement was made only today, I can forgive the mistake. You may go.” He leaned forward, just enough to make the movement unmistakable. “Or our factions can forget the treaty altogether and war. Adders versus the kraken.”