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Morkai stood as well and faced the king with a bow.
“I’m glad my sister has you, Prince Teryn,” Dimetreus said. “I can tell your affection for her goes beyond a betrothal contract.”
Teryn was torn between feeling elated and enraged at the king’s words. Though he said them to Morkai, the sentiment was true. Teryn’s affection for Cora went beyond what he’d confessed to Dimetreus during the audience he’d had with him the night Teryn arrived. He was glad the king understood that.
But Morkai didn’t deserve to hear those words, to receive them with that smug grin of his, one that made Teryn’s face look nearly unrecognizable.
“You honor me, Majesty,” Morkai said. “I am mosteagerto wed the princess.”
Teryn tensed at how Morkai had emphasizedeager.
“Next year, Khero will have regained enough stability to allow us to host a grand wedding,” Dimetreus said.
“I await that day with the most ardent anticipation. However, I’m surprised your council has allowed for such a lengthy engagement.”
Dimetreus gave a lighthearted chuckle. “I thought you were the one who’d suggested a yearlong betrothal, Prince. The marriage alliance had been your idea.”
Morkai’s face flashed with the slightest hint of alarm before he donned an easy smile. “Yes, I did propose the alliance, but I didn’t set the timeline.”
False, Teryn wanted to shout. He had set the timeline. He’d proposed a yearlong betrothal out of respect for Cora, out of consideration for the time he knew she’d need to adjust. The time they’d both need to fully enjoy their courtship.
“Ah,” the king said, wagging a finger. “Your heart has made you impatient. I remember that feeling well.”
“Yes, you are very right about that,” Morkai said, but his voice lacked the warmth necessary to suggest the words were true. He furrowed his brow as if deep in thought. “I am concerned with one thing. Aren’t you essentially without an heir until Aveline and I marry? Doesn’t the peace pact state that your council will only accept your sister as heir after she and I are wed?”
“That’s technically true,” Dimetreus said. “It seems you are the key, Prince Teryn, for your neutrality secures Verdian’s trust as well as that of my council.” The king’s tone turned grudging as he spoke the last part.
Morkai narrowed his eyes. “You don’t seem too happy about that.”
Dimetreus forced a smile that crinkled the skin around his eyes, but there was no mirth in it. As he glanced over at his guards, it waned completely. He lowered his voice, eyes still on his guards. “It isn’t a matter of being happy or unhappy. Aveline deserves to be heir in her own right. Yet the marriage alliance is a necessity. I’m only grateful it’s a happy one.”
Morkai’s lips lifted at the corners in another smirk that had no right twisting Teryn’s face. The expression disappeared as the king returned his gaze to Morkai.
“So, in a way,” Morkai said, “I’m just as important of an heir as the princess is. When it comes to the council’s point of view, that is. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Teryn’s pulse kicked up. He didn’t like where this conversation was going.
Dimetreus frowned. “In a manner of speaking, I suppose you could say that.”
“And you don’t think you’ll remarry?”
“No, my heart cannot part from my darling Linette. Due to my loss of memories, I feel like it’s been far less than six years since her death. I have no intention of choosing a new queen. Aveline will further the Caelan bloodline, not me.”
Morkai’s face fell with false sympathy. “You must miss her dearly.”
Dimetreus inhaled a sharp breath, and when he spoke, his voice held a quaver. “More than I can say.”
“I bet you’d do anything to bring her back.”
The king nodded.
“You’d sacrifice your own life, if need be, wouldn’t you?”
“Without question.”
Morkai stepped slightly closer. His voice dipped so low, Teryn had to move closer to hear.
“Teryn,” Emylia said, a warning in her tone, but he couldn’t be bothered to pay her heed. Hehadto know what Morkai was saying.
