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I brought John, Emric, and Dex, not knowing what we were walking into, but knowing I would need the manpower.
“It is likely just a meeting,” John said, trying to calm me as we walked in a sound barrier on the way there.
“Something is not right,” I said for what had to be the tenth time in the past hour. “I realize that sounds odd, but I am telling you, something is not right.”
“Think there was another attack?” Emric asked.
I immediately worried for Esta, Malachi, Amory, Nyx, Kian, Savanna, and countless others, their faces flashing across my memory with each step I took as I willed them to be all right. I didn’t want to participate in another Dra Skor funeral.
As the war room doors opened, I quickly stepped into the room, ready for whatever blow they were about to deliver.
Esta’s green eyes were the first I found, and I took a visible breath of relief in seeing her healthy and sitting there in her throne chair around the war table. But I saw her flash of confusion in seeing me.
She hadn’t known I was coming? Malachi was also in the room in his human form and looked surprised to see me too. Miles hadn’t been able to get to him because he had already been in the war room.
I pinned my attention to her father then. “I believe you beckoned?”
“Ahhh, yes,” he began and gestured to a chair which Amory normally took, but she was still sleeping her own burnout off in the queen’s quarters.
I didn’t know what he was playing at, but I wasn’t about to join in, so I stayed where I was. An obvious slight that I was more than happy to bestow.
“Very well,” her father said, completely unbothered. “Though it feels rude to mention it without her present, I was wondering if we could discuss a possible betrothal.”
“Whose?” I asked.
“Yours of course,” he added.
“My what?”And this had to do with Amory, not the queen?
Zaire’s smirk of a smile had my magic flaring, and I almost,almost, released it to bring him to me simply so I could smack it off his face.
“Because of the value you have shown to Dra Skor, it is becoming apparent that we need someone with your skillset to stay in Dra Skor long term. A betrothal and dowry of sorts will be given to you for your troubles, of course. We would keep you well paid, keep you happy. You may keep your title of prince. We would like for you to stay.”
My eyes went to Esta’s to find her frozen in fear. Or shock? Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly ajar. It only took one glance to see that she clearly had no idea about this.
“Rumor has it that you are quite close with our Amory. You were seen dancing and having a splendid time at our most recent ball. And she frequents your room. We would like to work out the details of a betrothal with you. And since she is not here, any requests you have can be made now.”
My eyes flew to Malachi, to find him clenching his jaw and looking like he was about to jump clear over the table to wring the man’s neck.
I would willingly assist. I hoped it came to that, because as it was, I decided that there was definitely a time and place for violence.
Today. Today was that time and place.
“I also could be convinced of an arrangement along this manner,” Morana provided with a smile. “Should you need more... options. We know the Wylan way is to have those options for their princes.”
Reyald gave her a nod. “Yes, indeed. A valid point. We would like to keep you here, Prince Keiran. Just tell us how to obtain that.”
This was not happening. I was beckoned to discuss my betrothal to someone from Dra Skor so they could keep me here, keep me healing Dra Skor. But not to Esta. Esta, as queen, was off limits. That or he had no idea of the depth of our feelings for one another. This could be a move to keep me from her, or it could be a move of total ignorance. Considering the way Zaire was beaming, I had a sneaking suspicion I knew exactlywhohad planted all these seeds.
I clenched my jaw before responding. When I finally did, I bit out, “No.” I paused. “Not only is my answer no, but it ishellno.” I allowed my magic to light up my skin in case I should need it to get out of here. “I am not property of Dra Skor. I am not your chattel to be married and bred off to whom you decide. I decide where I go and who I—” I cut off immediately, because I saw what looked like imprints of scales slithering along Esta’s skin, much like my magic was crawling over mine. “Esta?”
I realized too late I forgot the formal titles.
And with the blink of an eye, Esta was gone, the chair breaking beneath her as she shifted back into her dragon form.
She let out a roar that had me looking to the windows to see if they shattered.
Get out,she hissed to all of us as she spun on her father.
