That tone tips the scale. I clench and unclench my fists, drawing a calming breath. “Cut the theatrics, I don’t have time for you.”
I hear a growl of appreciation from my right, but I can’t tell whose.
“I get I hurt you, but that drama was an overreaction, wasn’t it?”
I stiffen, and my companions glance at me, waiting. When I stay silent, Riven steps forward, but I place a hand on hisshoulder and give a subtle shake of my head. He nods and backs off, though his grip on the axe remains tight.
“You should bow,” I say, aiming for a strong voice, but it goes a little quieter than I wanted.
He notices and puts his hand to his ear. “What was that?”
How dare he mock me? “Bow,” I repeat, letting some of that cursed power lance the word.
The generals behind him obey, which makes me smirk, and Dante scoffs.
“No need for formality, darling, I came here with a proposal.”
Aidon growls, exposing his canines.
“Contain your pets,” Dante chastises.
“That pet will bite your rotting head off if the Lady here lets him,” Aidon glares at him.
Score again.
Dante only shakes his head and looks at me, smiling. “My dad is happy you stopped grieving and we want to offer you a mating alliance, as it was supposed to happen from the beginning.”
My rage clouds my vision, but before I can respond, Riven steps in, grounding me with his firm hand on my shoulder.
“The High Queen doesn’t require any alliance. I recommend you pack your things.”
“Will you let the dragon slave talk for you?” Dante spits. “You’ve stooped so low. I guess it is understandable, considering you discard all your significant allies.”
“Are you done?” I yawn. “My general speaks the truth. Before I finish my tour, I want all traces of you out of my palace.”
“I suppose the mating won’t happen, then.” He tilts his head with condescension.
“You are a disgrace, Ogison. There was always something wrong about you, but I never suspected you could stoop so low.” Nulok steps forward, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade as his eyes bore into Dante. I glance at him, feeling thefamiliar surge of calm his presence brings. He gives me a small, reassuring smile, and I nod.
“I forbid you from assembling the army; Rhodria won’t go to war.” My hands are clenched at my sides, and I lock eyes with Dante, letting my voice carry across the open space.
“We will, but before we wipe the ghouls out of existence, we need to settle a house war.” His grin stretches too wide and a cold shiver runs down my spine. Not the pleasant kind. My pulse quickens, every instinct on alert, and I can feel the weight of the danger in the space between us.
“You have no claim,” I say, far too meekly.
“Yet I have an army and access to the palace, and you know very well that unless you kneel at Gorok’s temple, you won’t be crowned, and my elementals can keep you away from the palace for a long time. Long enough for an assassin to strike, ending the Berigander era.”
“You always liked hearing your own voice, didn’t you, Dante?” Jestin yawns, making others chuckle.
Dante’s gaze sharpens. “Funny how you like my discarded plaything. You were always pining for my stuff?”
Riven is on him in an instant, pressing his battle axe to his throat.
“One more insult against my Queen, and I’ll slit your throat to fashion a sheath for my axe, sweetheart.”
“Get your dog away from me immediately,” Dante growls through clenched teeth, though a smile tugs on his lips. Riven lets him step out of reach and Dante does it without bothering to cover his back, as if Riven wasn’t a threat at all.
“We should kill him,” Aidon says, and I hear grunts of agreement from my companions.
