It’s only then that he picks up his wine and starts to drink, relaxing into the chair and loosening his hold on my leash sothat I can move more freely. As I twist from side to side, I let my eyes unfocus, unwilling to look at the crowd that no doubt is watching me from the corners.
Thinking of them will only make me angry, and that would make me?—
“High King Rholker,” a smooth male voice says behind me.
It takes effort not to drop my arms in embarrassment because I know that voice.
Rholker’s eyes drag away from me and toward the newcomer. “Ah yes, King Arion. What a pleasure.”
My giant master does not nod his head, nor does he adjust himself in his seat.
I lessen the width of my movements and finally turn to look at the king who betrayed my husband.
My mate.
He is the reason I am here right now.
I can’t keep the crystal from glowing, but luckily, he doesn’t appear threatened.
“Thank you for inviting us to your… exquisite celebration,” Arion says.
Blood rushes in my ears as I see his long, silky hair arranged similarly to how it was the first day we met. His wooden crown gleams in the torchlight, and his piercing eyes sink into mine.
He doesn’t smile or incline his head. This man stood at my wedding, watched my vows, and betrayed us.
“I must admit, I share your fascination with human women,” he says conversationally as I continue to dance.
Rholker pauses and gestures vaguely toward the room.
“Perhaps you would like to select one for yourself,” he says.
Arion nods, pleased.
“Actually, there is one that I met in the troll caves. She was quite… intoxicating. When you lay siege to Enduvida, I would consider her a gift of your highest respect.”
My heart rate picks back up. He’s talking about Arlet.
Rholker chuckles. “Your confidence is reassuring. Consider it done.”
It’s the last straw for me. Talk of the death of my people, my home, my kidnapping flows through the air like notes of music. Somehow, it feels like rocks have crushed me while the rest of my body implodes.
I lunge at Arion, nails first. My fingertips barely graze his green robes when the collar around my neck is jerked back. I sputter and choke, but the sudden movement makes me fall, and I knock my head against Rholker’s throne.
“Good hell, I told you that bringing an animal to the dinner table was a bad idea,” Aska says. “Our greatest apologies,” she directs to the king while I wait for the blurriness in my vision to clear.
The light emanating from my stone makes it hard to see.
Arion stares at me in horror and then steps back, just out of reach.
I clench my hands, wanting another chance.
“I await my pretty red-haired gift, King Rholker, and I—” he says, still staring at my chest, with the slightest tremor in his voice. “Should I come back to discuss more later?”
“Get her out of here,husband,” Aska demands. “She’s ruining everything.
Rholker’s jaw is clenched, but he doesn’t let go of the tightness on my chain.
As if on cue, six dark-robed women also approach the throne.
