“She could ruin everything!” Raelyn sounds panicked. “You heard what your father said. If she reveals our plan or exposes my questionable parentage, he could have me put to death!”
I close my eyes. What in the hells was I thinking. There is no way I will be responsible for her death. I won’t allow it.
“Let me handle it, love. Head back to my wing, and I’ll see you soon.”
Rae bites her lip, wringing her hands, but nods.
I march back into the throne room right as Lady Astoria is led in before the king. She reminds me of a peacock, the way her teal silk dress floats about her and a giant feather adorns her golden hair.
“Your Majesty,” she croons before dipping into the most exaggerated curtsy I’ve ever seen. “I have urgent news I must share with you.”
The king looks up from his papers, boredom seeping from his pores, and he hasn’t even started yet. “Please do share.”
“I’m afraid the prince has run off with my stepdaughter, Lady Raelyn Astoria.”
The king snorts. “Old news. Is there anything else?”
Lady Astoria’s haughty sneer turns to disbelief, and she seems at a loss for words when I step into sight.
“Are you here to congratulate me?” I ask. “I suppose we are family now.”
Her eyes drop to the shimmering bond on my wrist, and she stiffens before a calculating look lights her eyes. How far will she take this? Would revealing Raelyn’s parentage harm or benefit her?
“Oh my, I see . . . Your Majesty, I hope you can understand. I’m most concerned that we were unable to draw up official betrothal papers. And her father is away, so the matter of her dowry . . .” She trails off. “Clearly you can see this is unacceptable.”
The king sits forward on his throne, looking down his nose at her. Will he pretend to be as outraged as she is or will he be afraid of that making him look bad?
“Do you think I’m unaware of what happens in my own kingdom?”
Ah. His pride wins out. I sigh a breath of relief.
Lady Astoria looks flummoxed and starts to stammer. “I’m sorry . . . Your . . . Your Majesty, I thought?—”
“You thought what?” the king demands. “You thought I wouldn’t be aware of my son’s priestess-blessed marriage before it happened?”
“I can see I was mistaken, Your Majesty.” She sinks to the floor, keeping her eyes downcast.
“As far as the papers, trust they will be handled between me and Lord Astoria when he returns.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Lady Astoria simpers. “I look forward to celebrating the union of our families soon.”
I roll my eyes. Of course she would try to get some kind of party or notoriety out of the match.
“Dismissed,” the king’s voice booms out.
Before she’s led away by one of the servants, she catches my eye—the cold look of cunning sends a shiver down my spine. My relief is short-lived. This isn’t over.
“Kian, a word.”
I close my eyes.Shit. What now?
I make my way to the dais. “I thought you were off to celebrate with yourwife,” he says suspiciously.
“Yes, I was, but I?—”
“I will not be made a fool of, Kian!” the king interjects. “I might have saved face with Lady Astoria, but clearly there is something going on that you wish to hide. Now, I’d like to believe that your infatuation caused you to behave like an imbecile as you claim, but if word gets out that you deceived me, I meant what I said, and you won’t be the one to pay the price for your mistakes.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply.
