I couldn’t believe what I was watching. Actually, I could. Emmie herself told me that humans had to take any advantage they could to rise. Especially in a place like this. She wouldjump at any opportunity. And the one she was being offered was the best she could get. The king was the highest authority in the kingdom, after all. Warming his bed would have all sorts of perks. One’s I could also get if I gave into Cyrus’s wishes. One’s I refused.
“I would be honored, your Highness.” Emmie smiled widely, matched by the king’s smile. How quickly he forgot Despoina. I couldn’t imagine bubbly, sweet Emmie facing the consequences of becoming entangled with the king as Despoina had just experienced. She’d already become a target for the machinations of the court and an unwitting spy.
“This meeting will be wrapped up shortly.” King Astraeus assured Emmie. She beamed back at him as he called for one of his guards. “Jakal.”
“Your Highness.” Jakal stepped forward and bowed to the king.
“Show her to my room.” He ordered, then turned back to Emmie. “I will meet you there shortly, little beauty. Then we can become better acquainted.” His smile was exceptionally wolfish for a man who shifted into a pegasus.
“I’ll be awaiting you eagerly, my King.” Emmie winked as she curtseyed once more, giving me a quick hug, then walking off with Jakal to the king’s bedroom. To be his.
“Now,” King Astraeus turned back to us, sneering. “What to do about you two?”
“Father—” Cyrus stiffened immediately. He tried to begin speaking, but Astraeus cut him off quickly.
“Yes, yes.” The king waved his hand. “You traded information for keeping your whore. In gratitude for shedding light on the betrayal happening under my nose, and you inadvertently helping me find a new pretty little thing to bed, I will grant your request to keep her.”
I wasn’t being traded. Thank the Old Gods for that. Relief swirled alongside my indignation for how the king spoke of Emmie and me—then horror was added to the mix as I realized just how stuck I was with a man who killed innocents so he could play his sick games.
“Thank you, Father. I—” Cyrus relaxed against me, his fingers squeezing my hips, a spot I didn’t realize was so sensitive until he did so. I shivered despite myself, and Cyrus pulled me closer, placing a kiss on the side of my neck.
“You are far too attached to this girl, and it will not stand, Cyrus. We must present a certain image to the world, and being besotted with a human will hurt that image.” Cyrus bristled as his father stepped closer, until he was standing a mere step in front of me.
I took a deep breath, looking back at him. I knew I should avert my eyes, but I couldn’t. I was rooted in place, engulfed by the maelstrom of emotions sweeping through me.
“What are you saying?” Cyrus demanded, his tone dangerous and sharp. One that spoke of restrained violence, of the very storms he wielded. I was honestly surprised that Cyrus had the audacity to speak to his father as he did.
“You can keep her on the side, but you will show the world something very different.” King Astraeus smiled slowly. “It is time for you to marry.”
Cyrus was against my back, so I couldn’t see his face. My own expression was a picture of surprise. His plan was for Cyrus to take a wife and keep me on the side? I nearly snorted, considering I wasn’t even sleeping with him. But by the Otherworld,no! I refused to ever allow myself to be put in that position. I hadn’t considered that Cyrus would marry in my lifetime—I hadn’t even worried about it. Thankfully, I had no plans to ever give into him, but unfortunately, everyone already believed I had—and that was enough.
“A wife? Are you kidding me?” Cyrus spat the words out, his surprise and anger swirling together to form a vicious mixture. His hands gripped my hips tighter and my body reflexively pushed into his touch despite my desire to remain still. I couldn’t help the reaction, but I didn’t want to encourage him either.
“Yes, Cyrus. A wife.” King Astraeus snarled impatiently. “Show me that you are worthy of being my heir. Make an alliance, secure the betrothal. Having a wife and child will shore up your position. Despite my wish that the gods had chosen someone more worthy to be my heir, you are it at the moment. Perhaps if you don’t marry, Weylin will soon find himself in your place.” The smirk the king gave his son was full of arrogance.
“Fine. We’ve always been close with Dawn Kingdom.” He sniggered, making me curious to know why helaughedwhile proposing a bride. “I’m sure Princess Zerlina will be eager to take the position of future queen.”
“A good choice.” The king nodded begrudgingly. “You handle that, along with the traitor.” He raised an eyebrow and I felt Cyrus nod, his head coming to rest on my shoulder. His chin dug into it as his cheek sat against mine.
“Of course, my King. I will get on that immediately.”
“Very well then.” King Astraeus sharply nodded and turned, walking out of the throne room. I was so focused on him and Cyrus that I didn’t notice Queen Stelara creep up until I turned to see her standing before us. I jolted hard, but Cyrus caught me, and I quickly straightened. Not that it mattered. The queen ignored my presence entirely, despite the fact that I was pressed flush against her son’s body. I was curious to know what the queen did in her own time. I knew she kept a human as well. Was she sleeping with him? It seemed like all the Fae have a human they keep as their main companion. Perhaps that was part of the reason she didn’t care about her husband fucking humans.
We didn’t count. It was only scandalous if he fucked another Fae. Someone who actuallymattered.
The thought sat bitterly in my throat, wanting to be released in a wave of fury. But I bit it back. I couldn’t afford to voice my thoughts in present company.
“You did well, my son.” Queen Stelara smiled, more warmly than I’d seen her do in my entire time here.
“Thank you, Mother. Father is all too predictable.” Cyrus scoffed. “And Daneiris stepped too far out of line. She may need a reminder why she doesn’t want to fuck with me.” Cyrus growled and the queen merely chuckled.
“How the gods ever chose your father for kingship is beyond me. He’s clearly unfit.” The queen responded, waving her hand to the side, dismissing her husband and his position. “It’s a good thing this kingdom has us, or it’d likely be wiped off the map already.” She glowered at the thought, or perhaps she imagined her husband as she did so.
“As for your sister, yes, she will indeed need a warning.” She paused, her head tilting to the side as she considered. “Just don’t do any permanent damage. She’s still my daughter, despite her very wrong opinions. Your siblings are too busy trying to grab for scraps of power and influence to support you as they should.” His mother huffed. I tried to untangle all these bits of information Queen Stelara unwittingly shared so I could begin to figure her out, but it was like a puzzle with all the pieces mixed up and some missing completely.
“Of course, Mother. I will ensure you still have all your children by the end of this.” Cyrus’s right hand released my hip and reached for his mother. “They will learn to bow to me in time. Once I sit the throne, I’ll make sure they all get in line. As will you, I’m sure.”
“Yes,” Queen Stelara nodded in agreement. “I’ll be starting with your sister as it appears. In the meantime—” Her eyesfound mine for the first time and I twitched against the urge to hide. It felt unnervingly like a predator stalking their prey when she looked at me. “—Get your inclinations under control. Do not be seen to be treating this one as anything but what she is. Don’t follow your father’s footsteps in this. I have done what I can to minimize word of his behavior getting out, and I refuse to do it for you too. You have a princess to woo now. Focus your attention there instead.”
