“Cooperating with Father’s requests? Thatisquite a shock,” Colin mutters.
I shoot him a glare before knocking back the burning liquid.
“I suppose it’s for the best he wasn’t home,” the king says, staring at me over the rim of his tumbler. “Your brother has managed to procure a much better match for you than one of the Astorias.”
I almost choke on my drink. “He did what?”
“Yes, that’s why I needed to see you so urgently,” Father replies, his demeanor ironically far from urgent.
“Is that so.” I shoot another glare at my brother. “I was unaware Colin was on the lookout for a wife for me.”
Colin gives me a wry grin. “It was fully unintentional, I swear. Obviously it couldn’t be someone from our court due to yourreputation.”
His words sting, but I try to hide it. It’s bad enough Father thinks the worst of me, but to know Colin does as well is a knife to the gut. Even with the distance between us, I thought he knew me, but I guess I was wrong.
“Unintentional as it might have been,” Father continues, “the match is advantageous to our kingdom.”
“You said I could choose,” I grit out. “I chose.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing that can’t be undone,” Father replies.
“Damn it, Father. I made a promise and now you want me to back out on my word?” I try to keep myself from shouting.
“Kian, why don’t you hear us out before losing your temper,” Colin says smoothly. “I’m sure you’ll agree to this arrangement.”
“Not likely,” I mumble.
“Princess Helene is the perfect match for you, son,” Father says.
Princess Helene? As in my brother’s sister-in-law?I grimace.
“She’s at the country estate with Juliana now, and she’s dying to have you come and call on her,” my brother continues, amusement coloring his tone.
“Forgive me, but how in the gods’ names is it advantageous for me to marry into the same damn family Colin is already married into?” I seethe. “Surely your alliance with the kingdom of Tallinnia is already secure.”
Father strokes his chin. “You’re not wrong, but?—”
“But nothing,” I interject. “Princess Helene is barely seventeen years of age. I have no desire to be shackled to that infant.”
“Come now, brother, she is a beautiful young woman, and with a betrothal in place now, you will have at least one more year to dally as you please before settling down. I thought that would make you happy?” Colin looks perplexed, as if he thought I would thank him for offering his wife’s baby sister up to me on a silver platter.
“I refuse.”
“Excuse me?” Father glares. “How dare you refuse me? I am your king, and you will do as I wish.”
“Ihavedone as you wished, Father. I have procured a betrothal to Lady Raelyn and have no need of Princess Helene.”
“I had no idea you were even still interested in that family,” Father says. “Didn’t the girl reject you years ago?”
My face heats in humiliation.
“You can’t seriously be considering giving in to his demands,” Colin spits out. “I already promised?—”
“You promised me without my permission?” I shout at Colin. “What in the ever-loving fuck is your problem?”
“Boys!” Father exclaims. “You will cease with the name-calling and cursing. I didn’t raise you to be a bunch of low-class rabble.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, attempting to ward off the inevitable headache.
