She gave him a tight smile, glancing over at Cethin as if looking for guidance. The king’s features softened, and Razik fought the urge to roll his eyes. Tybalt was right. If Kailia was here for some nefarious purpose, Cethin was falling right into whatever spell she had woven.
“Kailia will be joining our advisory meeting today,” Cethin said to Zayan, dragging his eyes away from Kailia.
The Hand of the King did a terrible job of hiding his reaction at that statement. A mixture of surprise and dissatisfaction. The male rocked onto his toes, clasping his hands behind his back as his dark brown eyes slid from the king to Kailia and back.
“I see. I look forward to seeing both of you shortly then,” Zayan said with a small bow of his head before quickly retreating from the room.
“Everyone is going to know your business before you even get there,” Razik said dryly, picking up his glass of juice and draining it.
“I’m aware,” Cethin replied, pushing back his now empty plate. “Why do you think I said anything?”
“He’s terrible at his job.”
“How so?” Cethin asked flatly.
“What kind of Hand of the King spreads the king’s business?” Razik answered, pushing his plate aside as well.
“And who do you propose should replace him? You?”
“In your dreams, Sutara,” Razik retorted with a sneer.
Cethin smirked at the word choice.
Reaching over, Cethin brushed his fingers along Kailia’s arm, and she nearly jumped out of her chair. A rather dramatic reaction if Razik had ever seen one. Wait, was he?—
“Kailia, can you give us a moment?” Razik asked, a low growl sounding with the words.
She looked at him in confusion, then back at Cethin. “I do need to use the privy.”
“There is one down the hall on the left,” Cethin said. “Do you need me to show you where?”
“I’m sure I can manage,” she said, sliding back her chair and getting to her feet.
Just as she reached the door, Cethin called after her, “Don’t wander, tiny fiend.”
She ignored him, and Razik waited until the dining room doors closed before he slid his gaze back to Cethin.
“What is it, Greybane?” Cethin asked warily.
“Are you forcing her into this?” Razik demanded.
Cethin’s features remained impassive, and the king settled back in his chair, steepling a finger along his temple. “Why would you think that?”
“Because she nearly jumped out of her skin at your touch,” he replied. “Considering you basically told Zayan you’re about to announce a betrothal, I’ll ask you again: are you forcing her into this? Or maybe I should ask if you’ve forced her inanyway?”
That had Cethin straightening, his darkness making a full appearance and drifting across the table like a dense fog. Razik summoned dragon fire to his fingertips, letting it linger there while his eyes shifted to vertical slits.
“I know we do not care for one another and that your opinion of me is so low, it may as well be buried in the depths of the Pits of Torment, but if you ever accuse me of forcing myself physically on her, or anyone, again, you’ll be banished from this kingdom. You can either figure out a way across the Wards or die trying. I don’t give a fuck,” Cethin said, his power pulsing with his rage.
But if he thought that was going to deter him, he could fuck off himself.
“Then why did she react that way to your touch?” Razik pushed, toying with his black flames.
“She does that whenanyonetouches her,” Cethin spat. “Why do you think she lost her godsdamn mind when you picked her up?”
“Why? What happened to her?”
“I haven’t learned that yet,” Cethin answered, shoving back from the table and getting to his feet. “ButIwill. As for you, it’s none of your godsdamn business.”
