AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Riot glanced to the boy. “Silas, go get drinks for our guests. Take what you want for yourself.”
The boy didn’t need to be told a second time and bolted toward the table.
“What’s the trouble?” Riot looked back to Davorin.
“We should speak privately.” The battle lord tilted his head toward the women.
“What a pretentious sod.” I shook my head. “This is one of his shortcomings—underestimating women. Hells, they’re fearsome creatures, in life and in battle. The North was won at the command of my bleeding queen. Who exactly does he think is out there fighting for the isles? A damn queen.”
Wraith chuckled—a true laugh, and he seemed rather bitter that he’d let it slip. “You do not need to tell me his shortcomings, I see them well enough. Use them to your benefit.”
Hells, I planned to.
“Dav, you know there aren’t secrets between me and Anneli,” said the king. “Shouldn’t be secrets between you and your stronger half either.”
The slightest flinch to Davorin’s jaw caught my attention. A tell, a weakness. He did not like to be seen as the lesser in a room, not even in a jest, not even compared to the woman he was supposed to cherish.
If ever I escaped this sleep, I’d buoy the woman up until she stood so far above him, there would be no escaping her grand shadow.
“The earth fae,” Davorin said, voice low. “They’re growing powerful, Riot.”
“Good. Their unique gifts would be welcome in securing our borders against the turbulent sea folk.”
“Unless they rise against you.”
Riot’s brow furrowed. “Is there talk of such things?”
“For all I know—”
“There isn’t,” Saga interjected. “Dav, you told me yourself it is only a possibility, but no one has given any hint of doing such a thing.”
For a fleeting moment, anger flashed in his eyes. A glimpse at the murderous bastard was there, and he wanted to silence his unruly consort. I had my answer—he’d lose both eyes for the way he kept looking at her.
“Did you consider,my love,” he said through a tense smile, “I’ve been protecting your own anxieties? We both know how you are when you fret.”
Saga’s cheeks heated in embarrassment, and she shrunk back.
The woman in my heart would shove my chest, stand against me, and smart off about my own weaknesses should I say such a thing. I’d retort with how the weakness was a desirable trait, then I’d dream of all the ways I could put her tongue to other uses.
“You’d let her speak, Ari?” Wraith asked.
“To silence her would rid me of the sweetest sound.”
“She challenges you for she is safe with you. The Raven Queen knows she can fall, and you will catch her. She knows she can fight, and you will sharpen her blade. She knows she can speak, and you will give her the room. Again, use these strengths to your benefit.”
Fists clenched, I took a step to be beside Saga. She rocked the child, avoided meeting Davorin’s eyes when he faced her brother again, and became the silent consort he likely dreamed of having.
“It’s my advice,” Davorin told Riot, “that you make a move to remind the earth folk that they areyoursubjects.”
“And how should I do such a thing?”
“Regulations on their glamour,” Davorin said. “Require service to the Rave for a space of ten turns. Train loyalty to your army from the time they are young ones. Then, consecrate gifts to your court with harsh penalties for any glamour used outside the bounds of your order.”
Riot’s face pinched. “A penalty for using their gods-given gifts?”
“If it is not for the building of your kingdom, then it is not for the benefit of all folk.”
“I don’t want more servants, Dav. I want my people. My father battled for freedom, he united the magicks. I plan to see it stay.”
