And his aura—I could feel its violence. And something else. Something deep, something ancient. Something that called out to the part of my soul that was still Asherah.
He stepped onto the dais and heat crawled across my skin. There were too many people on the stage. Everyone was too close. It was all too much.
He hugged his daughter and kissed both of her cheeks. Kenna went completely still, the way an animal might when noticed by a predator. Then he took my hand and leaned in, his face inches from mine. My stomach churned. His breathwas disgusting and hot against my lips as he exhaled heavily. He smelled like meat drowned in stale beer.
“My bride,” he growled.
“Do not kiss me,” I hissed, unable to stop myself. “Or I swear I’ll break another bone.”
“Threaten me,” Kane said, his voice dangerously low. “And I swear come sundown, I’ll start with your sister—and when I’m covered in her, I’ll get you next.”
I seethed, breathing through my teeth, trying not to take in his scent, trying not to show my fear.
“I’m not interested inkissing, anyway.” He smirked. “I have other plans for your foul mouth.” He tugged me violently to him.
Rhyan turned to his father at once, a grave expression on his face, one I couldn’t read. He looked almost like a different person for a second. Like someone I’d known for a thousand lifetimes. Like a God.
Auriel. I could see it. See the hint of the immortal Guardian he once was—my vision flashing. But more importantly, I could see the threat in Rhyan’s eyes. Not a warning, but a promise he was prepared to make good on.
Suddenly, his father’s aura exploded. A hurricane-like force blew across the dais.
Against my will, my grip on Kane’s hand tightened to keep me from falling over. Kenna cried out, stumbling back, while Amalthea took the moment to wrap herself around Rhyan. Nobles began to shout, and many in their seats were frantically adjusting their tunics and dresses, fixing their hair which was in disarray.
“My apologies,” Imperator Hart said, his smile anything but apologetic. “I am overcome with excitement to see my son find his perfect match. And for Lady Lyriana to find a union with my closest friend.” His eyebrows formed a deep V. “She looks good as a Glemarian, doesn’t she? Andnow, she will be my wife’s stepmother, and she will serve as step-grandmother to my son.”
By the Gods. He was farther than fucking Lethea.
Suddenly Kane’s huge hand was wrapped around mine, his fingers digging into my skin. I was dragged to the center of the dais, and placed beside Rhyan. I trembled, not daring to look at him, knowing I’d crumble if our eyes met. His arm brushed against mine, and a shiver raced down my arm. I could feel his touch in every part of my body.
Imperator Hart produced two rings, one silver and one gold. I wasn’t sure how he’d gotten a golden ring with Ka Batavia’s sigil. Maybe he’d always had it, had always been prepared for the culmination of his years of scheming. Prepared all those years ago when my mother visited, when I was still a baby. He dropped it into my palm, and a silver ring was dropped into Kane’s.
The Arkturion turned me toward him, one hand steadying my elbow as he shoved the ring painfully onto my finger. There were silver gryphon wings, engulfed in flames. The sigil of Ka Gadayyan. I placed the golden ring into his hand. I didn’t have it in me to slide it onto his finger. His hand closed around the metal, the nail on his pinky scratching me.
And it was done.
We were engaged, and my engagement to Viktor and all of Ka Kormac was over.
The nobles cheered and clapped as they yelled congratulations, and demands for us to kiss.
It was at that moment when Rhyan’s aura returned. A cocoon of cold air wrapped around my body. He released Amalthea’s hand, and took a step toward me.
I could see it, see it all play out, as clearly as my own plan to escape had been in my mind. He’d jump to me, free me, and take me away.
He could do it. I knew he could. We’d be gone before anyone blinked. But there were too many guards seated before us. He’d never reach Meera in time.
And we’d never get to Jules, never beat Morgana and Aemon to the orange shard.
The soturion beside Meera seemed to sense Rhyan’s shift, alerted to the subtle threat Rhyan posed. The soldier lifted the blade to her neck, keeping it carefully concealed beneath her ash-brown hair. But I saw. He turned the blade, letting the steel catch the torchlight. His eyes met mine.
I shook my head, my eyes pleading with him to stop.
Rhyan tracked the knife, his jaw tightening as his eyes met mine again. His face fell as he stepped back into place, his aura retreating as he took Amalthea’s hand back in his.
Meera’s eyes widened, sensing the danger. She turned suddenly to the soturion, her eyes almost glowing. He relaxed, pulling the blade back ever so slightly.
“Now,” Imperator Hart said. “We have a busy few weeks ahead. We’ll be preparing to attend the Valabellum in Numeria. Planning two weddings. But we shall have an exciting time together as our newly betrothed couples celebrate their engagement across the country.”
My heart sank. Of course. Of course, he was going to parade us non-stop, force us into our roles every chance he had. Show off so word reached Imperator Kormac that he’d lost, that Imperator Hart had me. Owned me.
