Then he was stalking from the room, the doors banging shut behind him, but his power lingered, slowly dissipating.
Razik continued to roll the flames along his knuckles, thinking over this new information. Cethin may have answered the question about forcing himself on her physically, but it hadn’t escaped him that hehadn’tanswered the question about forcing her into whatever this was about to be.
That was fine.
Nonchalantly pushing his chair back, he stood, swiping up a fruit tart to take with him as he went to piss off the king even more.
Chapter 13
Kailia
She hated this.
She knew it was part of the bargain she’d made with Cethin last night, but by the gods did she hate it.
Kailia sat in a chair to Cethin’s right. He, of course, sat at the head of the table, being the king and all that. He’d also donned an ornate crown before they’d made their way to the meeting room.
The other chairs around the table, save for two, were also occupied. The males and females in them were whispering to each other with a mixture of excitement and concern while also not bothering to hide their scrutinizing gazes. She could feel their eyes sliding over her. Analyzing. Speculating. Making decisions about how she measured up before Cethin had even said a word.
Razik was here too, standing next to a male who was clearly related to him. She recognized him as Tybalt Greybane, Commander of the Avonleyan Forces, but while Razik appeared apathetic and bored, the other male did not. His stare was fixed on her, and unlike everyone else in the room, he didn’t bother trying to downplay how he felt about what was going to transpire. His mouth was set in a firm line, and his browneyes told her he did not trust her in the slightest. She held his stare for several long seconds because, frankly, she preferred when people were blunt and didn’t try to hide their thoughts or feelings. She liked knowing where she stood. No games. No guessing. No confusion.
Unlike Cethin.
She dragged her gaze from the male to the king, only to find his eyes on her too. She wasn’t surprised. He was always watching her.
After she’d bathed yesterday, she’d spent much of the day ignoring him. They hadn’t left his rooms, having meals delivered there. Cethin had given her space, and she’d welcomed the quiet. Looking back now, she probably should have asked questions and made him prepare her more for this.
He’d also already had clothing for her in the dressing room because he was a presumptuous ass who was clearly used to getting what he wanted. He’d explained how this meeting would go today and that the union would likely be finalized quickly.The actual union ceremony was quite intimate and would just be them and a Witch to anoint the union. But after that…
After that would be a celebration that would be attended by thousands from all over Avonleya.
The thought alone made her heart rate increase and her chest tighten. The attention in this room was already too much, but thousands? Yes, it was expected with the role she was suddenly finding herself in, but…
But she was already being scrutinized. It wouldn’t take much to figure out she was ill-equipped to be a queen, and Cethin announcing she would be the queen only in title would feed into that belief. She was here to satisfy this council. That was all. And in return she’d be avoiding a trial and probable death sentence, get her arrow back, and find herself under the protection of theking. But she still hadn’t figured out why Cethin needed to do anything for the council when he was the king.
She’d put silk slippers on when she’d come down this morning, but now seated, she toed them off, curling her bare toes on the stone floor. She felt her ashes swirl, a small comfort even if she still couldn’t move among her power. Cethin had said he’d have the wards around the castle altered at some point, but never offeredwhenthat would be, and by Temural, she needed to have access to her magic. But she was also dreading having full access to it again because of what had transpired by that lake.
Her power hadn’t had that kind of control over her since it had first manifested, and even then, it had been protecting her. What had happened a few days ago hadn’t been the same. This had been…like someoneelsewas controlling her magic.
Cethin shifted in his chair slightly before a faint wisp of dark power curled around her forearm, bringing her attention back to him. It lingered, an icy cold that stung a little. It was such a contrast to the usual burning of a touch.
He leaned in, and she forced herself not to flinch away because what had he said?
They need to beconvincing.
“I’m going to start this meeting,” he said, his words low so that only she could hear them. “Are you ready?”
She smiled sweetly as she said, “Do I have a choice?”
He ignored the barbed words. “Just be prepared.”
He leaned back, saying something to get everyone’s attention, and she straightened, trying to figure out what, exactly, she was expected to do and say here. Her gaze flicked to Razik. While the male beside him had switched his attention to the king, Razik was still watching her intently.
“I am sure there are plenty of matters on the agenda today, but I am going to request we table anything that is not of anurgent nature,” Cethin was saying. “As I’m sure you have all ascertained by the present company, there is an announcement to make. One I believe you all will be very pleased by, given numerous past discussions.”
He reached over, brushing his fingers down her forearm before taking her hand in his. She’d been prepared for the touch. Knew this would be required of her. After all, gentle touches and stolen moments are what people who were in love did. At least, that was what she’d observed over the years.
His power still lingered faintly, the iciness mixing with the burn of the physical touch, and the juxtaposition of the two sensations was doing things to her. Things she wasn’t entirely sure what to do with. It was throwing her off balance, her stomach dipping in a way she was unfamiliar with. She couldn’t decide whether she liked it or hated it. She couldn’t understand it, and she definitely didn’t likethat.
