Cethin went rigid, darkness drifting from beneath his palms that he tried to hide. “Razik has a duty to the Cadre.”
“His duty to the crown supersedes those responsibilities.”
“He is one of the best warriors we have,” Lord Tovan agreed. “Frankly, I’m surprised he’s notyourpersonal guard, your Majesty.”
“Is there anything else that must be handled today?” Cethin gritted out, and Kailia could swear his eyes were glowing once more, but this time with something dark.
“There is the matter of the vacant advisory seat,” Lord Harlin said tentatively. But when Cethin dragged his stare to him, he added, “But that can be discussed tomorrow.”
It took mere minutes for everyone to clear out of the room.
Everyone but Razik and Tybalt.
As soon as the heavy wooden doors thudded shut, Cethin was on his feet. With his hands braced on the table, he leaned towards the males. It was no longer a little darkness at his fingers, but thick, inky darkness rolling along the floor.
“No,” Cethin said, the word a guttural syllable.
At least it wasn’t a word he reserved just for her.
“It’s already done,” Tybalt said.
“Then fucking undo it,” Cethin retorted.
“Lord Tovan spoke truth. He’s one of our best. You can’t deny that, Cethin.”
Kailia’s brows arched. He was familial enough to call the king by his name?
“Jarek is just as qualified. Or better yet, Fallon or Ariadne,” Cethin argued.
“I’m not assigning someone else,” Tybalt said. “You trust me to know who’s best for positions. Let me do my job.”
“Not him,” Cethin ground out.
“Why don’t we let Kailia have a say?” Razik cut in, the words a lazy drawl. “Or is your plan to not let her have any opinions and thoughts of her own?”
Fury darkened Cethin’s features even more. “Of course not.”
“Then…” Razik turned to face her fully, sapphire eyes boring into her own. “Are you comfortable with me as your personal guard, Lia?”
“That’s not my name, and I don’t need a personal guard,” she replied simply.
The scraping of chair legs on stone sounded as Razik pulled a chair out and unceremoniously dropped into it. “That is evident from the stabbing, so I guess it’s to make sure you don’t do any more of that.”
“Wouldn’t that make you his personal guard then?” she asked, her head tilting.
Cethin and Razik both went still.
“No,” Razik finally said, the word clipped. “I will be your personal guard only. The king has his own entourage that consistently fails at their jobs.”
“They do not—” Cethin stopped, inhaling deeply. “My personal guard is not the topic here.”
“It is fine with me,” Kailia cut in. “I maintain I do not need a guard, but if it is expected, I do not wish to cause unnecessary issues during my first days at your side.”
“This is not an unnecessary issue,” Cethin retorted.
“Seems like it is if I’m in agreement and Razik is willing,” she countered.
Cethin turned to her, once again studying her too closely, and she held his stare. This actually worked in her favor, but it was something Cethin was clearly vehemently against. If she seemed too eager, he’d become suspicious, so she’d stay the small female trying not to make waves on her first day as the future queen.
