Page 21 of To Save a Kingdom

Or maybe not.

Turning her attention back to Roland, she gestured to the door leading to the dining room. “Shall we?”

Roland swirled the red liquid in his glass. No doubt it was some ultra rare vintage pulled from Malkov’s private reserves. She didn’t care, though. It wasn’t like she drank much wine, and, if all went well, some premium alcohol would soften the man’s rough edges when it came to her and her kingdom.

“After you.” The sun king’s gruff voice grated on her ears.

She stiffened at the insult. As if he didn’t trust her to not stab him in the back or lead him into an ambush.

Holding in a sigh, Aliya threw her shoulders back and marched into the dining room. This was going to be awkward. At least Tsara was here as a buffer.

A servant pushed Aliya’s chair in behind her as she took her place at the head of the table. Roland sat on her right, with Tsara beside him.

Meeting the butler’s eyes, Aliya nodded. The man whose name she had yet to learn lifted one hand. The doors burst open as servants filled the room with dish after dish of decadent foods Aliya had only eaten a few times in her life. There was far too much here for the three of them. She should make sure the cooks knew to send the leftovers to the priories and community centers in The Warren, so they wouldn’t go to waste, but she didn’t dare mention that in Roland’s presence. She couldn’t afford to appear softhearted or he’d walk all over her.

She brought a spoonful of the orange-colored soup to her lips. It tasted of carrots and yams, with an unexpected sweetness. Cinnamon, maybe? “I hope you’re enjoying your time here, Your Majesty?” she asked, to break the silent tension more than anything else.

“Would that I didn’t have to be here,” Roland said with a dark glare at Tsara, “chasing down my wayward army and daughter.”

Aliya swallowed. “I’m grateful for you and your military’s timely intervention,” she said, hoping to turn the conversation to safer grounds. “Your daughter’s bravery helped end the war. And we have managed to negotiate a mutually beneficial trade agreement that I think will go a long way toward normalizing relations for our kingdoms going forward.”

She cleared her throat, washing the dryness away with several swallows of water. Did she sound uncertain? Had her voice wavered as she spoke?

Tsara peeked at her through downturned lashes, a comforting smile tugging on the corners of her mouth.

Well, that was something. At least the princess approved of Aliya’s presentation.

“The contracts will have to be re-negotiated,” Roland said, setting his spoon down on his plate with a too-loud clank. “Such things should be handled by monarchs.” His countenance darkened as his eyes flicked toward Tsara. “Not by rebellious princesses who don’t know their places.”

Aliya schooled her expression before the skin between her eyebrows could pucker. Was that a backhanded comment applying to her, or just Tsara? She wished Zadé was here—Zadé knew the king well enough she could’ve interpreted his meaning. Though, from what the moon elf claimed, Aliya was best off assuming the worst about everything coming out of Roland’s mouth.

So… It sounded like he didn’t consider her the legitimate ruler of Lions Grove and the human realm. That threw an unexpected wrinkle in her plans. And having to scrap the full agreement and begin from scratch…

Once again, Tsara wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“Were there specific parts that concerned you? It would be more efficient to tackle individual clauses than the whole thing.” She closed her eyes in a slow blink. Please don’t make us start over…

The edges of Roland’s lips turned down, a malicious glint in his eyes. “There is no mention of compensation for the use of my army, for starters.”

Aliya froze, ice shooting through her veins. Compensation? Her treasury was depleted. Tsara had no doubt informed him of such. He was making this impossible on purpose.

“Nor recompense to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in your little uprising.”

Aliya gaped. Little uprising? Her fingernails dug into her palms as she reined in her temper. “The person who bears the responsibility, former King Malkov Cerel, has been executed, there is no more vengeance to be had from that quarter.”

Roland opened his mouth but Aliya cut him off, slashing one hand through the air for emphasis. “It is in the best interest of both our peoples for the war to end. I’m told you’re a cunning and intelligent man.” That wasn’t quite the truth, but it was close enough. “You must see that. So please, speak plainly. What is it you want?”

“I’ve already informed you. Compensation for the use of my army and my fallen soldiers.” He paused for effect.

Aliya’s gut plummeted to the ground.

“I also want the Whisperers.”

“What?” Aliya stood, shaking her head. “No.” Whirling, she gaped at Tsara.

Now she knew why the princess had been so quiet the whole dinner.

No, she couldn’t give them to Roland. They were too dangerous, too powerful, to be in anyone’s hands, including hers.