Page 44 of His Realm

“More importantly, when he found out Gideon and I were lovers, he couldn’t even imagine how a secret like that had escaped him.”

The king could have saved himself years of heartbreak if he’d only listened to Zev.

“It’s all the fucking,” Zev said flatly. “When you fill your days with pursuit of only the flesh, it’s hard to notice anything else.”

I was glad the king was on the other side of the room and lost in his thoughts. It was best he didn’t hear this conversation. Though lately, the king was so distracted—sometimes happily, and other times, like now, he seemed almost in pain. I wasn’t sure he would have done anything to Zev even if he had overheard us. Not that I was going to take that chance with the life of my friend.

I was about to say something when I noticed Zev bowing. Standing, I found Sabira there, smiling at me.

“Hi,” I said, utterly enchanted with her.

Moving forward, she put her hand on my cheek. “You know, if any man had ever looked at me as you do, perhaps I might have wanted to keep one for more than a night.” Her laugh made me grin.

Curiously, she turned to Zev then, put her hand in his hair a moment so he straightened, and then put her hand over his heart and whispered something to him.

He nodded, and his lip curled ever so slightly in the corner.

“I want to know about that,” I told Sabira. “Both you and the queen. I want to hear.”

“Pardon me?”

I cleared my throat. “I would be interested to hear why you like him so much.”

“Well, he is very charming.”

I groaned, and Sabira chuckled.

“First,” Zev said, like I was tiring him, “perhaps mention to the countess who you want added to the guest list for your wedding.”

I had to think a second. “Oh, yeah, would you please add Lady Eudora and her children, Althea and Eyphah. I want to speak to them.”

“Of course,” she agreed with an imperious nod. “At least Eudora can read, and I understand her children are both educated.”

I tsked at her. “You hate all the courtesans.”

Zev gasped, but Sabira cackled evilly. “I do hate them, you’re right. But if you want them, you shall have them. Any other whores you’d like in attendance?”

“No, Countess.” I sighed deeply. “May I hug you?”

She tutted. “You never have to ask. We’re family. Do you ask Isabella?”

“I did at first.” I stepped forward and wrapped her in my arms.

She melted against me, hugging me tight. We stood there together, embracing, and when we eased back, I was surprised that the king was right there, close.

“Sabira,” he husked.

She crossed her arms. “You’re weighed down with all this, Messina. Why not give it in its entirety to Varic? It’s not your place to protect Decimus anymore over a promise you made to your father.”

His face clenched like he was in pain, and his eyes narrowed as though to keep himself from crying. When he started shaking, I reached out and grasped his shoulder.

He turned into me so fast, and clutched me so tight, for a moment I couldn’t breathe.

“Goddess save us,” Isabella Maedoc announced, and the king let me go so quickly, I nearly fell down. “Shame on you, Sabira. What have you done to the king?”

Sabira was chuckling as Isabella strode forward, arms out, and Messina rushed to meet her, the strangled cry caught in his throat as she wrapped him up, making my throat tighten. Hard to watch a powerful man break down.

“How did such a softhearted creature become the mate of the draugr?” Sabira asked me.