“I’d kiss the ground you walk on if you gave me such a gift.”
“You already do. Do something else.”
Laughter drifted across our bond, his foot playfully nudging me under the table.
“Can I burn him?”I said.“Just a little. Maybe he’d be nicer.”
“No,”he said.“You promised no maiming.”
It was my turn to grumble.“I am regretting that decision.”
Silverware clanked as people continued to feast, but Samkiel did not touch his food. We had decided that after the Jade City queen poisoned him, he would only eat what was prepared for him at home by me.
“I noticed when we flew in that your city has grown substantially,” Samkiel said.
“Ah, yes, the consort you rode in on,” Iver said around a mouth of steaming fish meat. “Do you usually ride your consorts into battle?” he asked, snickering at his own joke. A woman on his right gazed at him coquettishly from behind her wine glass, giggling along with him. Others at the table joined in. It was obviously forced, but it was becoming alarmingly apparent that his so-called advisors were more interested in pleasing the lord of the house than advising.
“Can I burn him now?”
“I’m contemplating the fallout as we speak,”Samkiel said, glaring daggers at the man’s jest.
A slow smile spread across my face.“How badly do we actually need allies?”I replied, but kept my physical mouth shut, my hands resting in my lap.
“Mywife,” Samkiel said, throwing that last word at Iver like a dagger. It was a challenge to see if he would disrespect me once more and present Samkiel with an opportunity to show him what he’d lose if he did.
Finally, Iver seemed to remember who was sitting at his table. He swallowed hard and dropped his gaze, unable to meet Samkiel’s glare, much less hold it. The council members surrounding us murmured soft whispers of disbelief.
“I don’t find quips or innuendos about my wife humorous, Iver, and if you make crude comments about her again, I will no longer concern myself with being your ally. I will have your head, and then I will have your city.”
The silence grew, only broken by an audible gulp from an older gentleman to the fair right, but no one spoke. Samkiel had addressed Iver without using his title, and it seemed to have blown their minds. They kept their gazes fixated on their lord and away from us. Everyone watched as Iver slowly lowered his fork back to the half-eaten redfish on his plate.
“My apologies to you, Your Highness,” Iver said, and I didn’t detect a hint of sarcasm.
“Don’t apologize to me,” Samkiel said, his lethally calm tone at odds with the powerful storm building outside. “Apologize to her.”
The wind grew, pressing against the glass of the dining hall with enough force to make them creak. The atmosphere shaped itself, preparing for his command to split the skies. My mind reached for his, hoping to calm the growing storm, but I was not met with a maelstrom at all. I blinked and dug deeper. The silence and stillness I found were scarier than the chaos I had expected. Instead, I met Oblivion, hungry and waiting. It was pure darkness, coiling upon itself like a serpent, glaring through Samkiel’s eyes and waiting to strike in my defense.
I blinked and reached for his hand under the table, his thumb worrying over the emptiness on his finger where Oblivion’s ring had been. He squeezed back, completely unaware of what I’d seen. At my touch, the temper he hid so well slowly dissipated. If he were lightning and death, I was the grounding rod.
Iver bowed his head toward me. “I apologize. My comment was in poor taste.” I nodded, and his gaze flicked toward Samkiel once more. “I was unaware you had claimed one in such a manner. Please forgive me. This is so shocking to us all. You must understand, given your reputation,” Iver said, his previous sass restored to his tone.
“My reputation,” Samkiel said. He said it as a statement, but the question was there.
“If I may speak freely.” Iver folded his hands in front of him. “You are the Slayer of Beasts, Peacekeeper, Unir’s bright and dutiful son. You are a legend among the realms, and now you’ve returned from death with not only a wife that is not your betrothed Imogen but an Ig’Morruthen one at that. She is the same breed of being who destroyed Rashearim. But if this union offers a greater allegiance than the celestial beauty, I would understand. The power she possesses could make Nismera falter.” His eyes cut to mine. “With all due respect, of course.”
I had forgotten our return would raise the question of his betrothal. I had honestly forgotten about it after interacting with Imogen and seeing her and Samkiel together. It was painfully obvious that there was no romantic love between them. The betrothal had been forced upon them, and Samkiel had more than proved his love for me. Thinking of Imogen filled me with sadness, not jealousy or anger. I desperately missed my friend.
“To answer your first question, my union with Imogen was strictly political and orchestrated by my father in an attempt to temper my wild ways. My marriage to Dianna was not arranged. I married her because I love her. Whether she be Ig’Morruthen, god, celestial, or mortal, my love and devotion to her would not change. So, no, it is not for power. And might I remind you, my sister and her rebellion destroyed Rashearim,” Samkiel said. “She and other traitorous gods who wished for Unir’s throne, notmy wife.”
I knew it wasn’t the time or place, but my heart thrilled whenever Samkiel proudly claimed me. Even when the allies he wished to recruit to his side turned up their noses at the very sight of me, he never faltered. Warmth seeped into every cell of my very being. Treasures and gold and artifacts seemed so meaningless when being loved so wholly was far more valuable.
“Speaking of your sister. As you’ve mentioned, she wears your crown, sits atop your throne, and works tirelessly to expand her kingdom.” Iver raised his glass, sipping loudly. “This has been so for a thousand years.”
“I’m aware.” Samkiel took a deep breath, steeling his nerves for what he knew was coming, and I had to give him credit. Over the last few weeks, we had either been in battle or visiting as many of the lords and ladies of the realms as we could. He hadn’t said anything, but exhaustion draped across his shoulders like a second coat. Some had drawn their weapons at our approach, turning us away as they waved Nismera’s damned banner. Others greeted us warily. They would listen, but in the end, they remained pledged to her. Iver was our last stop, and it was clear that all hope of an alliance was lost here.
“Yet, you visit not only my borders but those of the few remaining houses that still stand fortified and stored because of her? Correct?”
“Yes,” Samkiel said with lethal calm. “My birthright was taken from me while I sat behind closed realms. Your ancestors all vowed oaths before my father, and as his successor, that means your loyalty lies with me.”
