Rholker’s expression stiffens, and he grows angry. “And? If anyone dares to touch her, let it be known that even the High King’s pets have sharp teeth!”
His raised voice makes all turn to look at us.
Yanking my chain away, he lifts it in the air.
“Behold! My secret weapon against our enemies!” he shouts.
The crowd cheers his toast, and he yanks my leash.
The movement automatically draws me closer to him, and Aska’s red head turns toward me. Her amber eyes are filled with disdain as she looks at the creature her husband has brought to eat with them.
I wouldn’t like to be here either.
Rholker pulls me close enough for the stiff skirt to press into his white pant leg.
I breathe, reigning in my magic with an iron fist. The string tenses and relaxes.
The flames abate.
If I hurt him now, there will be no chance to leave.
“Come now, Estela,” he says, slapping one hand onto his lap. “Sit.”
Aska’s eyes widen in horror.
“Rholker,” she whispers, enraged. “At least wait until after the party to fondle your plaything.”
His face darkens as he turns to look at Aska.
“As you sit at my side, remember you have gotten what you wanted—a crown. You won over your sister. Take pride in it, butknow your godsdamned place.” He pats his knee once more, a silent command.
Aska isn’t finished. “You barely got what you wanted, my king. And you and I both know that if you openly disrespect me tonight, my father might do something…unpleasant. Marryingme was only the first part of your deal.” Her eyes are glittering, and her smile curves into something sharp and cutting.
Rholker opens his mouth, and I assume he’ll tell her to go to hell, but he surprises me and closes it. Aska’s father didn’t seem supremely worried about her receiving disrespect before, but the threat works well enough.
I would prefer not to be on his lap, especially since it means risking my escape plan.
Rholker looks back at me anyway, not hiding his hunger as he takes in every curve of my body and stretch of exposed skin. It makes my flesh crawl.
Then he nods his head once.
“Perhaps my new wife wouldn’t begrudge me a little show,” he says.
Aska lets out a long breath.
“As you wish,” she grumbles, waving her hand at us while she brings a bit of roast venison to her mouth.
“Dance, Estela,” Rholker says.
Every joint in my body stiffens. I know nothing of dancing.
Rholker twists the chain around his hand, waiting for me to comply. The tension between us is rising, but my mind is drowning in my plans, in everything I need to do before the end of tonight.
Escape.
It isn’t until his eyes drop to my breast band where my mother’s stone is carefully sewn that I panic. Falling into action is the easiest way to distract him from noticing the stone.
I bring my arms out to the side as graceful as I can, and begin to move my hips. It likely looks as awkward as it feels, but Rholker doesn’t mind. He watches the path my fingers take through the air and smiles.
