Page 100 of Hunt Me

“Let us hear them.”

“He wishes his crimes against the crown pardoned,” he revealed.

“That’s reasonable.”

“There is more.”

“Get on with it.”

“He wants the land I offered to lease to Moonshire given at half cost.”

“That’s reasonable.”

“There is more.”

Matilda swallowed around the slow-forming ball of dread in her throat. She knew his following statement would result in an open chest cavity.

“He demanded the unification of our bloodline.”

“The unification of our bloodline,” Matilda repeated slowly. “The unification of our bloodline.” And then it hit her. “Luka,” she whispered. “You didn’t.”

“Aye.”

“You didn’t promise our unborn child to the wolves.”

“There is no guarantee. We may have a son, and David has a daughter. Furthermore, he could die in combat as he attempts to assume the throne.”

Matilda crossed their bedchamber and plucked her crimson robe off a hook.

“I’m fully aware that you are King of Night Falls. That is quite apparent. And that title gives you dominion over all who reside under your diabolical reign.”

“Diabolical?”

“I apologize. Allow me to rephrase. And that title gives you dominion over all who reside under your dictatorship.”

“‘Tis slightly better, I suppose,” he murmured.

“Regardless, I should not fall into that category. Y-you can’t make such a decision without consulting me!”

“You make decisions without consulting me all the time. In fact, you put this in motion.”

“This is my fault now?” she growled.

“Why must blame be assigned? Arranged unions between enemies have happened for centuries. It is possible it would have come to this eventually. As royals, sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good.”

“Truly? Because I thought as royals all you do is put your oppressive foot on the hopeless’ necks!” she seethed.

“You are a royal,” he reminded her.

“Not yet.”

“You will be.”

“Perhaps I will not marry you,” she suggested as she paced the length of the enormous bedroom suite. Luka was amused by how the fabric fluttered and swished across the floor. Her fiery disposition and voluptuous body also turned him on, as always.

“The dungeon has a vacancy,” he warned.

Matilda gasped. “You cannot help yourself. You will be vile until your very last breath,” she accused.