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He tried to rattle me.
I won’t let him win.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Never fight with your sister-in-law, especially if she’s an ogre
DAISY
It’s been at least thirty minutes and the king hasn’t so much as acknowledged our presence. The monsters sitting around the tables on the main part of the floor are more subdued than usual, shooting occasional glances toward the raised platform where we dine. Orshana and Orlena are whispering to one another. Oretta is pouting, but even so, she’s beautiful in the crimson gown and matching tusk cuffs she’s wearing. The younger sisters are both focusing on their plates, though I catch Oraya’s eye as she shoots cautiously curious looks at the king. She gulps and swings her head away.
The king shifts and I suck in a breath. My heart flutters and my flight or fight response kicks in as the spell Zyla cast buzzes over my skin. I don’t know the mechanics of the spell, but it’s meant to warn me of the king trying to hurt me. I glance at him, but he’s sipping on his wine and studying the room. He hasn’t even acknowledged my presence, so why is the spell buzzing?
“What is it?” Orcus asks.
My forehead crinkles. “Something is going to happen.”
“You sound like Zyla. What do you mean?”
“I don’t know,” I confess. “But I know something will.”
He frowns and glances around, assessing the room with the gaze of a trained warrior before moving his attention to his father. The king continues to pretend like we don’t exist. Orcus’ eyes swing back to meet mine.I don’t see anything.
Even still, the buzz on my skin hasn’t let up.
The doors to the great room bang open and a minotaur dressed in the signature blue uniform of a soldier rushes toward the king. His hooves clack on the stone floor and everyone in the room watches his progress. The monster drops into a bow in front of our table.
“Such dramatics. What is it?”
“Your Majesty,” the minotaur begins.
“The vampires?” the king guesses.
Does he even care about the furies? Or are the furies pitting the vampires against the monsters? Maybe this has been part of their game all along.
The minotaur glances at me for a millisecond then snaps his attention back to the king. “No, Your Majesty. The news I have is better delivered in privacy.”
The protective spell buzzes more violently over my skin.Run, run, run.I swing my head side to side, wrapping my fingers around the dinner knife just in case. Orcus’ hand falls onto my thigh. Concern zips through the bond. I count as I inhale, trying to calm my racing heart and the protective spell. The king won’t attack me in front of all these monsters. Orcus won’t let him get close enough to touch me. I’m safe.
“Very well.” The king stands and addresses the room. “Stay and enjoy your dinner and drinks.”
“Should I come with you?” Orcus asks his father while squeezing my thigh. He shouldn’t have to choose, but I’m terrified of what might happen if he leaves my side.
“No, no.” The king drains the rest of his wine. “Enjoy dinner with your future queen. Perhaps she’ll indulge the court in a fight.”
That sets off a riot of conversation as the king retreats. The protective spell buzzes even harder as monsters begin to beg for a fight. I swallow and glance at Orcus. His face is shrouded in anger, and his jaw muscles tick as he glares at his father’s back. The spell protects me from a direct attack from his father, but proposing a fight isn’t a direct attack.
“She can’t,” Orshana whispers to Orcus.
“I know, but per our own court rules, when the king suggests a fight, it must proceed.” Orcus scrubs his hand over his face.
“I’ll fight the queen!” A pretty ogre with vibrant auburn hair stands up, eyeing Orcus with far too much appreciation.
The monster beside her has the head of a llama and the curvy body of a pinup model. “Lara would make a good match.”
“Sit down and shut up.” Orlena shoves away from the royal table. “I’ll take the pleasure of being the first to kick Daisy’s ass.”
Everyone in the room but our table bursts into laughter. Orshana shakes her head and whispers at Orcus to stop this. Oraya and Orana’s eyes are wide with fear as they look at me, as if suddenly realizing how fragile I am.
