Page 6 of Bared

Jayd already knew the answer. Every moment that went by, it stabbed deeper into her psyche. But not like the drive of a dagger.

Like the plunge of a snake bite.

And she knew.

The man did not want something out of this agreement. He wanted someone.

“Me.”

It tumbled out with more certainty than her next breath. She was that positive of its truth—yet oddly, that settled with its surety. Her belly roiled with horror, but her mind was centered with truth. It was the comfort she clung to while pivoting to face Carris again. His comportment was expected. Arrogant but sanguine. Unmoving but all-knowing. Everything she needed for affirmation of her assertion, though she forced herself to voice it anyway.

“It is me,” she repeated, raising her chin by another notch. “That is your ask, Mr. Carris. Yes?”

One edge of the snake’s mouth quirked. “You are an astute woman, Highness.”

“What. The. Hell?” Ev emphasized his snarls with a trio of brutal stomps, shaking every polished tile in the floor.

“Was the man not clear, brother?” Jayd swept around, hoping she did not appear as jittery as she felt. Thank all the stars in heaven she had been raised to hide every emotion behind a graceful shell. “But of course he was. You heard him. I am astute, Ev—likely because I can spot a snake even if he’s hiding in satin. That is what you meant, Mr. Carris, yes? That I can discern when a reptile wants to slither his way into the highest echelons of the palais? And is especially eager about it when offered such a fat branch to do so? Truly, a snake would be foolish to settle for slogging in the swamp at that point, right?”

The man continued to work his jaw around words that wouldn’t come. Under other circumstances, this would have been her chance for a savoring smirk—but these were not those times, nor that opportunity. As Carris kept indulging his wounded—and surprisingly sincere—scowl, Evrest’s outrage became a battering ram on the air.

“Let me be clear about this, you bonsuns. We are here to discuss the safeguarding of my sister’s honor, not the sacrifice of it. Especially not to a dickless Pura puppet!”

“Oh, dear Creator.” Jayd barely prevented herself from dropping her face into her palm. The urge was just as strong to use it across Ev’s face.

“Your brother is right, Highness.” All too quickly, Carris was back to his slick statesmanship—not exactly a soother for her nerves. “Clarity is a fine idea right now. So might I remind His Majesty that should the truth about his sister’s lineage be revealed, he shall be praying for anyone, dick or not, to accept her troth.”

If Evrest’s energy was beating at the atmosphere before, it decimated everything now. Everyone, Jayd included, stepped backward from its force as her brother swept toward the door and then yanked open the portal.

As the heavy wood slab pounded back against the wall, Evrest commanded, “Get out.”

Santelle was brave—or foolish—enough to scoot forward, hands outstretched. “Majesty. Come, now. If we all simply take a breath and—”

“Get. Out.”

“King Evrest!”

“Stand. Down.” Carris’s dictate, coming halfway through the man’s shout, unnerved Jayd three times as much. “I mean it, Santelle.” With hands clasped behind his back, he stepped into the open doorway. “Clearly, His Majesty needs some time to contemplate the nuances of our offer.”

“Nuances?” Evrest spat a bitter laugh.

“But of course. We are only asking for one council seat. And the marriage contract will only have a twenty-year fidelity clause.”

“For both sides? Wait. No.” Ev raised a stiff hand. “Do not insult me with an answer.”

Carris drew up his posture in a new bid for mobster charisma. “Your Majesty. It would be my utmost honor to—”

Evrest’s new bark gashed the air. “Honor? Spare me, Carris. All of it. To evoke honor, you have to know what the stuff is.”

Santelle leaned forward. “Your Majesty—”

“Silence. You are treading on ice as thin as your character, you traitorous, scum-sucking—”

“Enough.” She scared herself, uttering the order with authority that came close to Carris’s. “Leave them be, Evrest.” She clutched him by both elbows, needing it for her composure as much as his. “We will all take the night and think this over.”

“Ah, yes.” Santelle exhaled with fervor. “Take the night. Outstanding advice for everyone.”

Jayd shot the man a derogatory glance. Of course it is, you treasonous oaf. Because that is all I will need to fully resolve this issue.