‘Troubles’ was one word for the state of the kingdoms right now, but I supposed I couldn’t expect his tiny, self-obsessed mind to grasp the gravity of the situation. But while this was no time for a royal wedding, it was probably prudent to secure the alliance with the only duke in all the kingdoms with enough power to pose any threat to the sovereignty of the crown.
As the unification treaty signed to form the Twelve Kingdoms demanded, the King's heir was betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Duke of the Light Kingdom, and since the eldest daughter of the duke was also a twin, they just decided to wrap it up neatly and marry the Light twins to the King's twin sons. Twin dragons were almost unheard of, yet fae seemed to have them more frequently. Maybe it was the Goddess’ plan to provide spare heirs for both kingdoms?
The King hadn’t breathed a word of wanting to move the wedding up. It made me feel like I’d missed something vital.It was supposed to be years, however, until their weddings, providing the heir plenty of time to sew his royal oats. Although, judging by this morning’s activities, he wouldn’t have any oatsleft to sew before long if left untethered. As if a marriage to a virtual stranger would bring him into line.
“This is news to me. The King hasn’t?—”
Arkyn cut me off. “He is leaving it to me. But it’s been decided. They’ve been expecting our envoy.” The way Arkyn worded it, it sounded like we were late? But I didn’t have time to get a word in. “We need the Kingdoms united, and I will not leave my future wife vulnerable out in the wilds. She needs to be here in the palace.”
The wilds indeed! The Light Kingdom was hardly that. They were the most developed kingdom after the First. But his tone didn’t leave room for question. Even if he wasn’t the King yet, one didn’t just defy a direct order from the crown.
I inclined my head. “Of course, Your Highness. But do we need anenvoyif this is to be a low-key trip?”
His eyes narrowed, but he knew what I was asking. How under wraps was this? Because I could fly to Light and be back with her in less than a week if she could ride, but neither of us would enjoy the trip.
“We aren’t barbarians, Nyx. There are protocols and precedents. We would never insult the Light Kingdom by overlooking any detail. My wife won’t be spared luxuries, and there is her sister to consider. Alaric is getting his bride out of this as well.” Anger sparked in his eyes. “Do you wish to insult the Duke of Light and ruin all the goodwill this marriage brings?”
“No, of course not.” But why did it feel like there was more he wasn’t saying?
“Good. Then Alaric will go with you as my official envoy.”
Beside me, Alaric groaned, but I stayed focused on this fool’s mission. “Am I to take the royal barge, then?”
“Nothing that obvious.” He smirked and gave a few absentminded pumps into the female’s mouth.She groaned and renewed the vigor of her ministrations.
I cleared my throat and turned my back to him, pacing a few steps, feigning thinking it over.“Any of the military ships will draw as much attention as the royal barge.”
“Do I have to do everything for you? You need to secure a private ship. Something fast but well equipped,” he said, having to nearly yell over the moaning in the room.
“Huh?” I returned the few paces but still avoided looking directly at him.
“You seem a bit uncomfortable…”He chuckled knowingly.
Arsehole.
This was nothing more than a power play. Showing me how insignificant I was to him that he wouldn’t even think to stop fucking to task me with something so seemingly important.
“Me?” I pulled a face. “Not at all. Merely thinking.” It took everything I had not to snap that I didn’t care to watch him ejaculate.I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“You’re too tense, Nyx.” He snapped his fingers at no one in particular. “Get Hedi or someone over here to put Nyx at ease.”
I held up my hands. “I’m mated.”
He cut me off again. “It’s just a release. Not a big deal. Us males need to de-stress so we don’t take our moods out on our softer halves.”
“I’d prefer not. Thank you for the thought,”I replied through gritted teeth.
“Then at least come over and have a seat.” He snapped his fingers again. “Bring Nyx a coffee.”
Reluctantly, I sat across from where he stood, which made it really fucking hard to avoid making eye contact with his cock.
Christ. No one fucking told me half my damn job as general would be putting up with the juvenile behavior of an entitledlittle shit, with a smile and a bow. As the head of the Dragon Council, the damned Dragon of the Night, I was above this surely? My father was lucky to have never had this issue, since the princes were younger when he went to the goddess. I half wondered, with some measure of amusement, if Octavian had to put up with this kind of behavior. But I shook off the thought. This morning was bad enough without that traitor taking up space in my thoughts.
“So, anyway…where was I?”Arkyn said with a sigh of satisfaction while grasping the female’s hair and guiding her motions.
I gave him a half shrug, looking out the window.
He growled making me look at him. “Nyx, where is your mind? Are you still this distracted by your brother? We need your fucking head in the game. I can’t have you lost in emotion and weeping like a female over Kol.”
