Page 109 of The Crown’s Temptation

Apparently, Teorin had been drinking large amounts of blood and had killed off much of the staff Axar had strategically placed in Darkway Palace to lead while he was gone.

Interestingly enough, no one seemed to care. In fact, if one hadn’t heard Fiersa say his Royalship this morning it would be easy to forget that Darkway Palace was missing both its King and its King Regent and now had a usurper here who admittedly, was likely helping keep me safe from the creatures of Morrath eating me alive.

I had planned on foregoing my visit to Eravic tonight. I wanted to sit by the tunnels and wait for Colsar instead. But now I supposed I had no choice. The fact that the ship served better food made me all the more reluctant, but I certainly was not about to disappoint Maridale. Her face looked so hopeful.

Maridale began working the laces of my dress. I almost stopped her, as she was not working in a servant capacity and it felt strange.

But in truth, I did not know how to tie the laces myself. And moreover, she was the one who had dismissed Fiersa.

Well, technically that was Dali, I reminded myself with a twinge of irritation.

Why are you irritated? This would never have irritated you before, Asharin.

Because too many fucked up things have happened in too short a period of time, I answered myself. I am tired of happiness being dangled in my face and then taken away like some sort of twisted toy.

I was more than irritated. I was furious about all of it.

And most of all I was furious that my mother had suffered at the hands of King Orsin. She was dead. He was alive. And I was trapped in the same place he had trapped her.

Focus, Asharin, I reminded myself.

This is Morrath. Trust no one, not even Maridale. Keep up appearances.

I wished Colsar was here now to call me Asha Bear. I had never realized how calming it was until I had not been able to hear it at all.

“I would be glad to bring the provisions when I go to Eravic for treatment," I lied, forcing another smile.

"Perfect," she said, clasping her hands.

And with that, I headed to breakfast.

Honey and Jam

TEORIN

She still had not arrived.

He told himself she would come. After last night she would come. If she had felt strange she would not have spent most of the night with him, would not have asked to sleep in his chambers. Would not have looked at him the way she had.

Then where is she?

The girl on his lap whimpered as he took a final gulp of blood. He had fed long enough already that morning, but the creature's suggestion lingered.

"Done, sire?" A creature approached. He did not look at him or at the human. "For now," he said.

"Anything else you require from the human?” the creature asked.

Teorin caught his meaning without looking at him. The human's hand touched his arm. "I would like to please you, Majesty." He finally looked at her. Her hair was blond and stringy. Not golden.

But perhaps close enough for this morning.

She was not going to come anyway, he decided.

But what if she does?

Then she will get jealous if she cares. If she wants him. This was the language he was used to. Not a human one but familiar. He had always known how badly Nox missed him by how quickly she killed whatever woman was with him.

Moreover, whether Asharin showed up or not, if he did this, then at least the creatures would assume he did not care for her. They would not use her as leverage.