“I can’t do my job when you won’t let me,” Razik ground out. “How am I supposed to keep her protected when you keep her sequestered in your rooms at all times?”
“I’ve discussed the situation with him extensively,” Tybalt cut in again. “He understands that some…adjustments need to bemade on his end. If Kailia’s safety is truly your primary concern, you’ll do the same.”
How was he supposed to argue that? When he was about to tell them she would be his wife tomorrow night? When his argument for that was all for her safety?
As much as he hated to admit it, and never would out loud, Tybalt was right. Razik was the best choice. His skill and wit were leagues above the others because of his bloodline. He put in just as much work as everyone else, trained just as hard, but his bloodline gave him an advantage. That was something Cethin could relate to all too well.
“Fine,” Cethin conceded begrudgingly. “For Kailia.”
Tybalt nodded, visibly relaxing some and taking another drink of his liquor. “When will you return tomorrow?”
“Midday,” Cethin answered tightly, thinking he might grab another bottle of ale to take upstairs with him after this.
“And tomorrow night?” Tybalt pushed.
Cethin knew exactly what he was asking.
He met the male’s eyes. “Tomorrow night I gain a wife.” He slid his stare to Razik and added with a sardonic smirk. “Her choice.”
“You sure about that?” Razik asked, arching a brow.
“Razik,” Tybalt barked. Then he stood, bracing both his hands on the table and leaning in. Gone were the compassion and understanding. This was the Commander. This was the male that had been his mother’s guard and Hand of the Queen. “This is the problem. It has nothing to do with training or responsibilities or being well-suited for a role. The problem is the two of you. Neither of you is going anywhere, so fix your godsdamn shit.”
He straightened, rounding the table and heading for the door, but he stopped near Cethin. Holding his stare, he said, “You’re making a mistake with this, but I know you’re goingto do it anyway. Sacrifices follow mistakes. Mistakes are the reason you hold that throne right now and can’t stand to be in this house. Be prepared to face those sacrifices when the time comes.”
Cethin took two bottles of ale and the liquor bottle back upstairs with him that night.
Chapter 22
Kailia
“Are you ready?” Cethin asked, striding into the dressing room.
She’d heard him coming, of course. She’d been standing in front of the mirror for the last twenty minutes, studying herself in her black dress with the slit up the side. Cethin had said he liked them. Not that it had any bearing on why she chose this dress. He’d said to wear what she was comfortable in, and this was the closest thing to her usual attire. She’d thought about asking to retrieve her own clothing, but that would invite questions about where she’d been living before he’d brought her here. He already asked too many. Her plan had been to go collect them when she could sneak away, but with her magic still not working properly, who knew when that would be.
Turning to him, she was about to say something, but she froze. He was leaning against the doorjamb. Staring at her.
“Is this not appropriate?” she asked, looking down at the black dress. The bodice and the sleeves were black lace, with the front dipping between her breasts to her navel. While the black skirt draped to the floor, there was fine silver detailing allalong the edging and the slit. With her shorter stature, it actually dragged a bit like a train.
She looked up at him again. “You said black. You’re wearing black.”
And he was. Black pants that were clearly tailored to fit him perfectly, hugging muscled thighs. His black jacket with silver threading and silver buttons was over a black shirt with small black buttons, a black pattern woven into the cloth. Without thinking, she took a step closer, finding the pattern to be celestial—moons and stars. Everything about him spoke to the king he was. Everything except the bare feet.
“Black is perfect, Kailia,” he said, his voice sounding strange. “You look beautiful.”
Her stomach did something at his words, and she didn’t know what to do with her hands, so she held them stiffly at her side.
“Are you ready?” he asked again, extending a hand to her. His features were soft and coaxing, his silver eyes bright and his hair pulled back. She’d left her hair down, the black tresses flowing over her shoulders in loose waves.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He smiled, something a little mischievous. “You’ll see,” he answered as she slipped her fingers into his waiting palm.
A moment later, her bare feet connected with hard earth, and she’d never been happier to feel the cool spring air swirl around her. There were towering pine trees and rocky cliffs looming. A lake spread out before them, the full moon reflecting on the surface, and the sound of rushing water greeted her ears.
Turning in place, she found a waterfall cascading down the cliffside, pouring into the lake. She’d seen a lot of places in this realm, but this would certainly be one of the most breathtaking if it weren’t for the godsdamn cliffs.
An icy brush of power skated across her lower back, and she waited for his touch to follow, but it never did. Instead, she found herself turning to look for him.
