The king’s lips twitched into the faintest shadow of a smile. “Didyou hear criticism in my words, my son? Far from being offended, I applaud her.”
Her breath stalled. His amusement, even at her expense, was unexpected. He was every inch the commanding Alpha she’d imagined—the father of her beloved. A just ruler, if rumours were to be believed, and also the man who’d allowed his young sons to endure the Sunborn Trial, see if either could be propelled into an even greater height.
Before she could respond, a low groan from the bed broke the tension.
They turned as Kaelen stirred, eyes blinking against the dim lantern light.
“What’s with all the noise?” he muttered, his voice rough but carrying a trace of humour. His gaze landed on his father, narrowing slightly. “Well, thisisa surprise.”
“Marzius sent a Sparo, telling me you’d been wounded.”
Kaelen shrugged. “As you can see, I’m well looked after.”
Azarion stepped closer, surveying him critically. “Still, you look like hell, Kaelendrin.”
“Feels like it too.” Kaelen pushed himself upright, but Reiya moved to steady him.
“You should be resting,” she murmured, her hand hovering near his bandaged torso.
Kaelen’s lips quirked. “How can I, with him here?” He nodded toward his father. “I assume this isn’t just a social call?”
The king’s gaze flicked briefly to Reiya before returning to his son. “We have matters to discuss, but . . .” He paused, his meaning clear. “Perhaps we can continue later. In private.”
Kaelen snaked an arm around Reiya’s waist, anchoring her at his side. Warmth radiated from him, solid despite the lingering weakness in his frame.
“We’ve no secrets between us,” he said.
For a moment, the room felt heavier, as though the air had thickened under the scrutiny of a man who’d ruled his kingdom unquestioned. But then, with a single nod, the tension eased.
“As you wish,” the king said.
He moved unhurriedly, lowering himself into a chair near thebed. His gaze swept over Kaelen first, taking in the pallor of his skin. Then to Alarik, who stood nearby, his presence a silent, steady force.
Finally, those piercing golden eyes landed on her.
Reiya lifted her chin, meeting his gaze without flinching. She had stood before kings and rulers before, enduring their scrutiny, but this was different. He wasn’t looking at her as an Omega pawn or a prize—but something even more precarious. His gaze didn’t consider so much as calculate, like a ruler assessing the risk of a complication he hadn’t planned for.
“The Sparo you sent from Zohara reached me in time to act, allowing us to organize your retrieval. However . . .” Azarion paused deliberately, letting his words sink. “Your detour to Aethonia was not part of your directive, let alone you returning with the princess.”
Kaelen tensed, as though gearing for a fight. “We took an unexpected scenic route.”
The king raised a brow. “Aethonia is far from Dravuniel or Aquris. Scenic, indeed.”
Kaelen only shrugged, unrepentant. The king sighed and leaned back, the weight of his disappointment sinking into the room.
“I had other plans for you both—especially you, Kaelendrin. You were to pay your respects to the Princess of Dravuniel before proceeding to Aquris to meet their princess. I spent months in careful negotiations to secure your betrothal to one of them.”
His gaze sharpened, his voice edged with finality. “This . . . misadventure, inadvertently, has put an end to those discussions.”
Kaelen’s voice remained steady. “We chose Princess Reiyana over alliances. It’s a decision we’ll never regret.”
The king’s attention shifted to Alarik. “As the elder brother, I’d expected you to keep Kaelendrin’s focus on what benefits the kingdom.”
Kaelen started to protest, but Alarik’s calm voice cut through before he could speak. “I have, Father.”
The king’s frown deepened. “Then perhaps you’ve misunderstood. An alliance with Dravuniel would have secured our border, while Aquris would have granted access to the Gulf of Almasar. Their portalone would have strengthened our trade routes and given us access to a coastline.”
Reiya lowered her gaze. Though not part of the Nine Issoirean Kingdoms, Aquris stood as a gatekeeper between their realm and the seas beyond. Through marriage, Asadia could’ve gained more than just a trade partner—it could’ve claimed access to maritime routes no other kingdoms in the alliance had ever controlled.
