My peripheral vision was practically non-existent, and I constantly fought the urge to turn and stare at Matthias as we walked hand in hand to the head of a long table, encased with candelabras and fruit carved into the constellations of the Gods. The dignitaries around the table gave us a standing ovation. Normally I’d despise this sort of thing, but at least Matthias might mistake the blush on my neck and the nervous trembling of my hand for the audience and not the effect he was having on me right now.
I sat to his right, with Lord Rossing on my other side. As the guests raised their glasses in a twinkling cheer to their king and his new bride, I turned to greet Asher’s father. There was no mistaking him. He had the same handsome onyx face as his son. His long coils were tinted with salt and pepper. Where Asher’s eyes glinted with mischief and mirth, his father’s expression was firm, his full lips pulled down in a grimace. Asher’s high cheekbones gave him a warm smile, but appeared cruel and sharp on the man who’d sired him and still maintained control over his son’s life.
I peered over the flickering candles to where Asher was about to sit, his expression lost in the hazy amber glow. Wincing, Danté took his place next to the captain. Looking down the table, my heart lurched at the blurry form of Skye halfway along, sitting next to a miserable Ifan, muscles ready to burst out of his obsidian uniform.
By the time we were on the dessert, I decided I’d ask my husband for one of those shiny medals kings gave out for noble or brave behaviour. I hadn’t stuck any cutlery into either Rossing or Danté once, despite being tempted to every time either of them opened their mouths. Matthias had given my knee a gentle warning squeeze when I asked Asher if he was sure he hadn’t been adopted.
Matthias leaned in close. The guests would think he was whispering sweet sentiments to his new bride.
‘I get it. The man is about as odious as they come, but he’s Asher’s father and Asher would face Vyrus himself to win his approval.’
I shivered at the feel of his warm breath on my neck. He raised his hand, taking my braid and playing with the ends.
‘Plus, Ireallyneed the lord’s guards. He’s amassed a rather impressive collection of Anomalies. We need to be on our best behaviour.’
He tilted his head, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. I toyed with the silver spoon, holding it over the fruit tart before me.
‘Do I get a reward for being good?’ I said, without thinking.
His smile turned wicked. Matthias dropped the braid and moved his fingers so they caressed mine. I froze as he leaned in even closer.
‘And what…rewardwould my wife enjoy?’
I sucked in a breath, realising the trap I’d so happily fallen into. Gods, we needed to sort this out. Straightening and focusing on my tart, I increased the space between us.
‘I deserve a shiny medal,’ I said, rolling a blueberry around my plate. ‘One of those big ones on a satin ribbon. I’ll even let you place it round my neck.’
‘Your wish is my command,’ he said, turning his own tart so he could scrape the blueberries onto mine. I smiled, recalling the fights we’d had over who would get the most as children. He leaned in one last time as I savoured the fruit bursting on my tongue. ‘As long as that’s all you wear.’
As much as I disliked Lord Rossing, it turned out he was rather adept at slapping a choking queen on the back.
Tears streamed down my face as I glared at a smirking Matthias. I downed some cooling water, another little choking cough rising out of me. Wiping away the damp from my cheeks, I took a settling breath while placing the sharp heel of my stiletto on Matthias’s shoe. He instantly straightened and stared wide-eyed at me, trying to tug his foot away.
‘My thanks, Lord Rossing,’ I said, turning my attention away from a red-faced Matthias.
Asher’s father raised a brow, glancing between Matthias and myself. This was incredibly childish behaviour, not in the slightest befitting the ruling monarchs. But this was more fun than I’d had in ages. Matthias grimaced as he shuffled, trying to free his foot. Placing the sweetest smile on my face, I suddenly lifted my heel. Matthias’s knee jerked up, smacking into the dining table with a satisfying crash.
‘Arghh,’ he cried, and I couldn’t hold back my laugh as the plates and glasses shuddered.
I knew every pair of narrowed eyes turned our way, and somewhere in the shadows came the distinct warning cough of Francis.
‘Is everything all right down there?’ Skye asked over the low chatter of our esteemed guests.
‘Of course,’ Matthias replied. He’d regained his composure with startling rapidity. ‘Just a nasty itch.’ He glared at me before adding. ‘I suspect her wolf has fleas.’
He turned to Asher, who’d barely mumbled a word since the meal had begun. It was hard to see how his father affected him. A young woman with pale skin and a sullen expression sat on Asher’s other side. She’d attempted to strike up conversation with him a number of times, but every time she’d asked him something, he’d replied with a single word and returned to staring at his barely touched food.
The woman placed her spoon down without creating a sound and placed a weak smile on her face. ‘And your father tells me you’ll give up all this king’s guarding business once you’re married?’
Asher stiffened.
‘My duty is to my king, right now. That won’t change if I get married.’
‘When,’ his father replied calmly, a sneer spreading across his face. ‘Whenmy son is married, he’ll need to set aside his military career and come home. As my only heir, it’s long due time for him to return and learn how to manage a grand estate. That is how he’ll serve his king.’
Asher’s jaw twitched in the flickering glow of the candles.
‘Then, selfishly, I hope it’ll be a long time before Captain Rossing marries. I feel a lot safer with him at my back.’ There was a firmness to Matthias’s tone that belied the casual remark.
