I dragged air in my lungs. “I’m not afraid of King Vaeris.”
“Another lie. You’re not very good at this.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “Your tells are obvious. Pupil dilation, increased respiration, hand tension.”
Gods, he’s exhausting.“Uh?—”
“Two kings, both with interest in a human girl. Why?”
My mouth dried. “Um, no idea.”
“Yes, you do. Why are you worth fighting over?”
I forced a smile. “Caelir nearly went to war over Queen Isara, didn’t they? And the battle of Aurion’s Gate—allbecause three brothers wanted the same bride.” I lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Honestly, Your Majesty, if you gave them a wooden spoon and told them only one could have it, we’d be in the same situation.”
His gaze bored into mine. “You’re very educated. Aurion’s Gate is obscure history.”
“I like to read.”
“Aren’t humans banned from libraries in Skalgard?”
“Yes, along with about a hundred other things. Forgive me, Your Majesty, but breaking rules is how you survive in Skalgard.”
“So you’re brave enough to break laws in a realm known for executing humans who step out of line.” He paused. “I don’t think you’re just a war prize.”
This male was annoyingly sharp. I glanced over his head, searching for Kairos. He’d been watching earlier, but now he stood with his back to me, deep in conversation with Lysander.
Then a guttural vibration rumbled from the floor, searing up my spine. A primal sound, older than the bones of this world, struck my heart like lightning.
My hand shot out, clutching Soren’s arm.
He went completely still.
I released him, heat flooding my face. “I—that sound?—”
“What sound?” he said sharply.
“Underneath our feet. The—the roar. You didn’t hear it?”
The ground trembled, deeper this time. It vibrated inside me, the growl rising from the depths, and I gripped my chair.
Soren’s brows rose. “Human ears aren’t capable of such frequencies.”
Then Kairos sat on the other side of me—thank the gods. His arm came around my shoulders, pulling me to him.
“Are we ready to get started?” he grumbled.
Soren still watched me. “Waiting on Skaldir.”
My skin prickled as though from a frigid wind. I looked up, and everything inside me stilled.
Vaeris stood near the table, cloaked in dark blue. Silver-threaded runes curled over his sleeves like frost. His black hair was shorter, his stubble gone. His eyes took in the assembled rulers, the watching courtiers. Then they landed on me.
There he was. The male who’d written that I waseverythingto him. I felt… nothing. No longing. Just a hollow emptiness where love used to be.
Soren rose from his chair. “We begin.”
The room fell silent.
“You’re here because Kairos of Sanguir breached Skalgard’s palace, killed the monarchs, and took a human from their realm.” Soren’s voice carried through the hall. “Skaldir and Caelir claim this was an unprovoked act of war. Sanguir claims justification.”
