But now he was wondering just how many lies he’d been told and, infinitely worse, whether Izzy was about to be sacrificed for a trade deal. That he would throw himself in with her was not a consideration. He would do what he had to do to lessen the peril she was in, no matter what it took.
They all arranged themselves on the sofas. Shane and Cori positioned themselves as far apart as they could, but Luka stayedclose to Izzy so he could be certain of a seat by her side. Her warm thigh pressing against his was the only thing keeping his beast in check.
The queen met their eyes, one by one. Her spine was ramrod straight, and a sheen of garnet scales spread over her neck. “I’m very disappointed,” she said, her voice sounding loud in the silent room.
Her disapproval was like a lash, burning and humiliating. Luka’s beast twisted, but he held it in check. He’d expected this, known it was coming. But then the queen continued. “I’m disappointed that Izabel was lied to and put in harm’s way. I’m devastated that Izzy and Luka feel that the only solution here is to sacrifice themselves, and I’m deeply unhappy that I’m only learning the truth about all of this now,” Danikha said softly, stunning him into silence.
Shane flinched, his eyes sweeping the room, just as Luka’s did. Who could possibly have told the queen?
Iona lifted her chin. She was very beautiful—with silvery hair and her mother’s garnet scales complimenting her smooth earth-toned skin—and her eyes gleamed with determination as she frowned at her brother. Kai grimaced and looked at the floor.
So that’s how the queen found out. Kai told Iona.
Shane crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t lie.”
Danikha leaned forward, eyes flashing as bright as the scales on her face. “You didn’t tell the truth! Rayan was like a member of our family. I watched that boy grow up. His mother is my best friend! How is it possible that I’m only learning the truth of his death now?”
“I’m crown marshal,” Shane argued. “All our military reports to me.”
“Andyoureport tome,” Danikha spat.
Luka’s beast chortled at the echo of Luka’s conversation with Shane yesterday.Wonder how he feels to be the one relegated to second place?
Clearly not good. Shane’s ruby scales settled into armor around his wrists as he waved his hand at the group arrayed around the sofas. “This conversation would be better in private.”
Danikha snarled. “Yes, it would! I wish we could have had it in private, but we’re past that. They’re already involved. This is the team that will help us discover who murdered Narya and whether her death is related to Rayan’s. We’re relying on them to help us avoid a war! And more than that, these are our friends.” Danikha gestured toward the group. “Every one of them has shown their loyalty a thousand times over.” She scowled at Shane. “Say whatever you want to say and say it now.”
“Fine. I didn’t want to do this, but fine.” Shane planted his feet wide, hands on his hips. “I knew you were struggling with the problems you inherited when Father died. I loved him, and he loved me, but he didn’t see things the same way. We all know that. You’ve been trying to reverse centuries of decline in weeks and months. You were already talking about a treaty, looking at how to negotiate a lasting peace, and I didn’t want this smuggling problem to undermine that.”
“That doesn’t make sense. I needed to know we had these problems. I’m still the queen. And, Shane, I’m still your mother!”
“It made sense to keep it small, to?—”
“Shane, don’t lie to me!” Danikha snapped.
“I wanted to do this by myself!” Shane burst out. “I thought Rayan and I could work on this and fix it without needing anyone else!”
Danikha blinked at him. “Youwantedto work alone?” She sat back, leaning against the cushions. It was the first time Luka had ever seen her posture less than perfect. “Why?”
“It seemed like the right idea at the time,” Shane replied cagily.
“At the time? What does that even mean?” Danikha closed her eyes for a moment before glaring at Shane once more. “What other stupid decisions have you made without telling me?”
“Nothing!” Shane insisted, but not before his gaze flicked toward Cori. It was only for a second, but it was enough.
God of Chaos.
Beside him, Izzy went utterly still.
Danikha pushed to her feet, eyes wide with sudden understanding. “You told me it was over. That there was no future for you and Cori, and you were better off apart.”
I knew they were together.
Luka suspected half the court knew, but he’d never realized it was serious enough for Shane to tell his mother.
Cori grunted, a strangled, inarticulate sound of repressed misery, and the queen spun to face her. “What did he say to you?” Danikha asked, far more gently.
“Mother—” Shane cut in desperately.
