“Jealous of Gemma?” Kaldur drawled. “Don’t think you can squirm out of what I asked you. Is it true or not?”
“Yes,” I said suddenly, my claws curling into the silver steel of the goblet, scraping the metal. Thaine glanced down at the marks before he met my eyes. “It’s true. I’ve decided to make Lyris of House Arada my wife. TheKylairaof Erzos.”
Again, Kaldur and Thaine exchanged looks at one another. They gave me shit for Azur when they were obviously connected like twins themselves? Though, perhaps they had bonded because of necessity. I had Azur, and Azur had me. Lucen and Kalia were next closest in age and had always been attached at the wing. That left them. Two was better than one in a large family like ours.
I didn’t move. I leveled them a cold stare, waiting for them to cast their judgments, not like it would matter. My mind was made up.
Now that my twin had married, now that Laras had aKylairaonce more—in Gemma of House Kaalium—I knew it was my duty to marry forpurpose. Azur had married for revenge. Then he had married for love. Both forms of it happened to be performed with the same human female.
But I didn’t have that luxury.
House Arada was a wealthy family.Lorewas House Kaalium’s export. Butdrava, Kylorr black steel, mined from the Three Guardians in Erzos itself, was House Arada’s export—they alone controlled its production. My ancestors had gifted the mountain to House Arada after their undying allegiance in an old war.
Anddravawas one of the strongest metals in existence. It made the sharpest and most durable of weapons. The best shields. The best walls. The best armor. The best ships and vessels.
We would bleed money during a war. The only thing we had that the other nations of Krynn did not waswealth. An abundance of it.
With House Arada tied to House Kaalium, we would have the amount of wealth necessary to easily crush a war in its early stages. Loss of life would be minimal, especially throughout the Kaalium.
My decision was made.
I only needed to announce the union between the two Houses.
So why hadn’t I yet?
Why hadn’t I even told Azur yet?
I’d barely spoken two words to Lyris, but I supposed that didn’t matter. She would agree to the union because it was expected of her.
Duty. Responsibility to one’s family. Responsibility to the Kaalium.
At least we will have that in common,I couldn’t help but think, ignoring the sting of bitterness that tightened my throat. I didn’t have a right to feel it, after all.
“Mother never wanted arranged marriages for any of us,” Thaine finally said, his words chosen carefully. “They aren’t necessary.”
“That was before…” I trailed off, my throat tightening. “That was before Aina.”
Kaldur’s expression darkened.
“That was before the Kaazor broke their peace agreement. That was before these ripples of unrest started pushing toward our shores from the Thryki. From the Dyaar,” I finished. My gaze went to Hanno across the room. Lyris was his niece. “House Arada is the second-wealthiest family in the Kaalium. It would be logical and wise to shore up our defenses nowbeforewar comes. Despite what you think, with Azur married, itismy responsibility. I—”
There was that scent again.
My venom began to drip on my black tongue.
That intoxicating scent made me straighten as my nostrils flared. I scanned the small, dimly lit room, my eye catching on Lesana coming in through the door.Lesana?I wondered, brow furrowing.
“What is it?” Thaine asked, confusion in his voice.
“You don’t smell that?” I asked, my own words sounding far away.
A human female stepped out from behind Lesana’s statuesque figure.
The female from the courtyard,I realized, standing from my chair without thinking, my gaze pinned on her.
She was nothing special to look at—not that I’d ever been particularly attracted to human women before.
Her hair was cut just past her shoulders. Bone straight and the color of straw during the harvest season. Her full brows were unnaturally dark for her hair color, giving her a severe expression. Her mouth was wide, her lips the color ofhaanablooms, a softened pink. The bridge of her nose was sloped, giving the very tip an unturned appearance.
