“Oh, I intend to.” She peered at Drask as the bath continued to fill. “You nursed this crow back to good health?”
“Yes, and when I freed him, he decided to stay with me rather than leave. He’s a friend, a pet. He won’t hurt you.”
She huffed. “I should see if the king will let me have a chall. Then I’ll have a pet too.”
This wasn’t a competition, but sure. “I bet he will.”
A snarl ripped up her throat, and her face darkened. “He’s going to collar me on our wedding night,” she snarled.
“Really?”
Drask flew off my shoulder and landed on the side of the tub, eying the water. I’d have to make sure he didn’t dive in while she was bathing, something he’d done every now and then with me.
I went around to Brenna’s back and started undoing the numerous buttons marching down the back of her day gown. I was sure Delaine knew spells she’d use to do this rather than having to physically release each one herself, but I was a Nullen with only a bit of magical training, not a fae bitch with endless power. “Why does he want to collar you?” Actually, why would he tell her he was going to do it?
She turned with her gown gaping forward, though stillcovering her breasts, and traced her fingertip along the welt jutting out from my neck in a circle. “Did it hurt?”
How was I supposed to answer that?
“It didn’t.” Delaine arrived, sashaying into the bathing area. “It tickles, doesn’t it, Tempest?” She sent me a snide smile. “I’m sure you laughed with joy when the controller collared you like an unruly chall.”
There was the bitch I’d interacted with at the fortress.
I wasn’t surprised to find her here. I knew she wasn’t cut out to be a rider even if she was good at killing dregs. Was the story of her rejecting her parents’ arranged marriage real, or was it as fake as this fae woman?
Even more important, did she possess the same skill with magic as her sister? She’d seek revenge for the role she suspected I’d played in Selitta’s disappearance.
“It was horrible,” I said with a shudder.
Brenna gaped over her shoulder at us, her mouth widening with terror. “I won’t let him do it. I’ll tell him I refuse.”
He wouldn’t listen. He’d force it.
“It’s notthatbad,” Delaine snarled, shooting me a glare. “Tempest is weak. A puny Nullen, while you, my queen, are strong and much more capable of withstanding something as silly as collaring.”
“I’m also Nullen,” Brenna said.
“Oh, yes, of course. I assume that’s why he’ll collar you. You wouldn’t be allowed to remain here without one.”
I’d bet anything that Delaine knew that Brenna was the Lydel heir, though Brenna appeared unaware.
If her father knew, he might’ve taken more care beforegifting her to Ivenrail. Unless that was the whole point. My king would see Brenna as a wonderful trade for the power he’d gain from the arrangement.
Everyone was using her.
Delaine dragged her gaze to the floor before feeding Brenna a bright smile. “Surely you know that the king would never do something cruel to you? He adores you.”
“You’re right.” Brenna sent me a look I couldn’t define. “I’m sure Ivenrail would never do such a thing to me if it might cause me pain.”
Draining her would be worse, but I doubted she’d believe me if I pointed that out.
“Claiming. Awakening. Access,” I said. “Remember.” And that was all I was going to say.
“That doesn’t apply to our queen,” Delaine snapped.
I nailed her with my eyes. “Didn’t she just state she was a Nullen like me?”
“I am,” Brenna said. “That’s why he said he needs to do it. As Delaine said, I can’t remain here uncollared.”
