Sven
Sven watched Bryn exit the room before he dropped back onto his throne. The pain in his chest had eased, and he knew it was because he had touched her. He couldn’t explain it, but whatever power she had was strong.
And she had no idea. He was confident of that now. He also craved her touch more than ever.
Alitta stood in front of him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest and lips pressed into a sharp line. The glow of the afternoon sun brightened the tall windows and threw streaks of light across the chamber. Sven finally looked at her after the silence between them grew almost icy.
“You had no business in that meeting,” Sven told her, his voice low but edged with steel. “If she had been the enemy, do you have any idea how much you undermined me by storming in like that?”
Alitta lifted her chin. Sparks flew from her dark eyes. “Undermined you? I saved you from making a mistake.” She snorted. “Youwereabout to kiss her, were you not? That woman is dirty.”
Sven slammed his hand against the arm of the chair hard enough that the sound reverberated across the walls. “This isn’t about what you saw or didn’t see. This is about trust and boundaries. You don’t get to barge in here like you own theplace. That was reckless. And it makes me look like I don’t have control of my own people.”
Alitta’s lips parted as her face flushed. “Yourpeople? Is that what I am? I thought I was more than that to you, Sven. I thought I mattered as the future mother of your children.”
“We’re past that, Lita,” Sven said. “You know very well that you mean nothing to me. We’re mating for the ritual out of obligation. If there is no offspring, there is no us. Even if there is a child, we still won’t be a happy couple. You are well aware of that. This is about the chain of command, and you’re not above it. You crossed a line, Lita. And if you can’t see that—”
“If I can’t see it?” She cut him off. Her voice trembled from either fury and hurt, he wasn’t sure. “If our mating is successful, you can sit there and tell me that I’ll never mean anything to you?”
Sven exhaled sharply and dragged a hand through his hair. “That’s not fair. You know the arrangement, Lita. It’s been in the works for a year now.”
“No,” Alitta hissed, stepping closer, her eyes burning into his. “You’re wrong. I don’t care about any arrangement. When I give you a child, I will be the queen and I will be treated as such, like it or not. I will not be treated like that, that, commoner that just left here. What’s not fair is me standing here willing to sacrifice my future to give you an heir, only to be treated like a liability. I am not expendable.”
All the fight drained out of Sven. He reached his hand out to her. “I’m sorry. I really am. It’s been a long couple of days and I shouldn’t be taking it out on you.”
She took his hand and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “That’s better. Now what can I do for you?”
“Right now, just let me rest.” He just needed her to leave. The more he dealt with her, the more exhausted he felt. “Why are you here so early?”
She gave him a sweet smile. “I wanted to see you.” She straightened up and smoothed her dress. “And I heard Erik was here. I haven’t seen my future brother-in-law for quite some time.”
Sven frowned. He didn’t think anyone outside the castle knew of Erik’s return. He made a mental note to ask Lars. “Unfortunately, I don’t know where he is.”
What is she up to?
“Didn’t you pick him up at the airport?”
He gestured to his chest. “I was slightly distracted, and no one seems to know where Erik is.” He wasn’t sure that he would tell her even if he did.
Alitta kissed his cheek again. “I’m just happy that you’re safe. I’m going to let you rest while I go freshen up.”
Before he could respond, she spun on her heel. Lars stepped into the room just as she reached the door. He held it open.
“Lady Alitta.”
“Thank you, Lars. And thank you for taking the trash out.”
For a moment, Sven just sat there and stared at the door. “She’s a lot to deal with.”
“You’re losing her,” Lars replied as he took a seat.
“I’m not losing her,” Sven muttered. He shook his head. “She doesn’t understand where the lines are. That’s all.”
“The Visionary Trust Council will not be pleased if she leaves right before the ritual.”
The Rite of Kaeliteris. A ritual that had ruled most of Sven’s adult life. One that had become the bane of his existence. Of relationships, anyhow.
One night of mating. The ninth moon of the dragon calendar, which occurred every eighteen months. If a baby was conceived on that night, the couple would be mated forever.If there was no conception, the couple had no preconceived obligations to one another.
