“I’m a womb, a tool,” I said. “Deimos wants a child born of his special Velli and the Dragon’s Heart. So why wait?” My words were sharper than I felt.
He smirked, a lock of hair falling across his face. “Do you really want me that bad? Was my father such a poor lay, leaving you unsatisfied?”
“Your father was a Velli spy who never graced my sight.”
“But Kallias raised me as his own!” He laughed, leaning back on the bed, studying me as if I were no more than an intriguing specimen. “Truth be told, I don’t relish the idea of bedding you. But,” he feigned a heavy sigh, “it’s a burden I must bear. We’re watching for your cycle, and when the time comes, I shall do my duty, and you will serve your purpose.”
And when I never cycled because my womb was already filled? What then? They would cleanse me. And I would lose my babe. Kallias would lose his only heir. Tears pricked at my eyes, but I held them at bay.
“Don’t look so excited. It should come soon, then all this will be over.” He clicked his tongue against his teeth. “And look on the positive side… Deimos says I’m not to toy with you while you carry my child.”
“Tallon, do you really believe he’ll justgiveyou Radaan?” A bitter laugh escaped me. “He wants to rule the known world, and you think he will let you have your own kingdom?”
“Some of us know how to keep our treaties.” He winked, the gesture meant to rile me.
I ignored it.
“Vellos broke theirs.”
He blinked, caught off guard.
“Come, the king is joining us tonight.” Egath interrupted, pushing the door open.
Tallon paused, weighing my words, humming softly. Then he offered his arm, guiding me once again toward the dining hall. Panic coiled in my stomach, and I shoved it down into a bottle. They needed me. They had to keep me alive—or I was worthless.
“Ah, Nienna. You’re looking much better.” Deimos greeted me, kicking back his chair with a casual arrogance, patting his thigh.
Repulsion rippled through me, a visceral wave I masked with an iron façade. My hand fell from Tallon’s arm as if it burned,and I sauntered over to the king, settling into my seat with deliberate composure.
Tallon didn’t like that.
He bared his teeth in a forced smile, ignoring any pretense of courtesy, before taking his seat with rigid tension. Egath offered the practiced Velli bow, neck exposed, before joining the Radaanian traitor.
“I must say, you keep your people motivated to stay alive.” I cleared my throat, rubbing the thick collar.
“An unfortunate situation, but as you can see, it’s quite convincing.” He smiled, then lifted a glass of wine and offered it to me.
A king—offering his drink? The audacity. Tallon’s jaw tightened, subtle but undeniable. He hated it.
I drank, lips wet with the wine’s warmth, and handed it back. “Thank you. I was parched.”
Deimos chuckled, tilting the cup so his mouth pressed where mine had been, gaze fixed on Tallon—daring him, almost teasing him, begging the boy to make a move.
“Are you settling in?” he asked, setting the wine aside. His attention drifted to my lips, then lingered there. “Do you need anything?”
“I could do with some fresh air.” I smiled, imagining the sky above, wind tugging at my hair. The thought of being seen, making myself visible to Kallias—even from a distance—made my pulse stutter.
“A walk through the gardens? Perhaps a stroll through the city? Now, that wouldn’t be safe for you, dear Dragon’s Heart.”
“Are your cities so untamed that civilians cannot walk without fearing for their lives?” I loathed how his focus lingered on my mouth. When his lips brushed my shoulder, every nerve sparked to recoil. I held still.
“Oh, it’s not you I fear for.” He tilted his head, peering at me from the corner of his eye as a sly grin formed. “What are you?”
I returned a polite smile, shifting toward his knee, careful to stay away from his lap. “Nienna Draconis. Queen of Radaan. The Dragon’s Heart.”
He let my words hover in the air, testing me. Did he expect more? Did he wish me to stumble, to falter? Had I omitted some significant detail? Sea beneath, what amused him so?
“You don’t know, do you?” His grin spread, baring his teeth before he dragged them across my skin, careful not to snag. “You truly have no idea.”
