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My head jerked up, but I missed who had asked the question. “Yes. Miss Maren is with me. Is that an issue for you?”
Low murmurs erupted throughout the court, and I stalked back up to my throne. I banged the gavel down so hard, the desk reverberated.
“Does someone have something to say to my face?” I snarled, baring my elongating fangs.
Dead silence fell over the hall.
“Are you sure? Because you sure seemed to have a lot to say earlier.”
No one dared to breathe in the wake of my anger.
“If I so much as hear Maren’s name from any of your lips, I will find a way to have you removed from the Council, by any means necessary. Am I making myself clear?”
No one dared to look at me. Still, I noticed they shot looks amongst themselves, worried looks that I didn’t understand.
Something else is going on here.
The quiet became stifling, and I sighed, lifting the gavel again to dismiss the court.
Harman lingered back nervously, and I eyed him as I gathered my briefs to stuff them into my attaché case.
“You can’t fault them for being concerned, Alpha. You’ve only officially become king recently, and you don’t even have full power for another year. They worry about a young ruler making impulsive decisions.”
Through my peripheral vision, I studied Harman, noting his flittering gestures, as if he might turn into a bird and fly away any second. And I knew he had no such shifting capabilities because Harman was a bear shifter.
“What have I ever done by impulse, Harman?” I asked coldly. “For seven years, I have done nothing but keep this kingdom afloat while your beloved King Lucius escaped his responsibilities. I, too, could have left it all behind, but I chose to stay and fight for Steelshire.”
Harman nodded, bowing graciously. “And for that, we are all grateful. Which is why we worry about your choice in this… dancer.”
I whirled around, and Harman stepped back as if I was going to attack him, but I had no intention of doing that.
“Maren is more than just a dancer. She is a bright and sensitive soul who inspires me. I am better when she is near, and when I’m better, the kingdom is better. If everyone insists on running her off, it’s a detriment to Steelshire.”
The words poured out of me in a cascade, and I was vaguely humiliated when I’d finished.
“Is there a future with her, Alpha?” he asked worriedly.
“That is not your concern,” I snapped, turning back to my papers and laptop.
“Your name is being tarnished all over South Havenmire as we speak!” Harman blurted out.
Again, I found myself facing him, blinking rapidly. “What the hell does that mean, Harman?”
I glanced at my Royal Guards, who continued to stare straight ahead, but I saw several of their jaws twitching.
“That club where Miss Maren works…” Harman sighed. “She’s being promoted as your… your mistress.”
A fusion of emotions twined through me at the revelation.
“Show me,” I commanded him, sliding onto the nearest desktop and opening my laptop.
Harman reluctantly took the computer from me and began to type furiously as I turned on my phone. Immediately, messages from Odette and Maren appeared.
The script told me absolutely nothing, and when Harman showed me the gaudy flyers with Maren’s half-naked body on the front, heat surged to my face. It wasn’t that she was on the flyers. I knew what she did for work, and I admired her talent. That was not the part that troubled me. It was the flashy baiting that churned my stomach.
“Do you see what I mean, Alpha?” he mewled.
“Why didn’t you mention this to me before?” I growled, slamming the device closed as I jumped to my feet. “Is that what they’ve really been whispering about all day?”
