“I’m your cousin, Majesty. Through your father’s sister.”
That caught her attention. She set the paper aside and narrowed an angry glare at him. “Am I to be impressed that you learned some genealogy?”
Had she been paying attention, it would have told her he was a shape shifter. But by the expression on her face, he could tell that she thought he meant the king.
Not her true father.
His gaze went to the two guards standing behind her. This wasn’t the time to let that out. The one thing he knew about the queen, she didn’t like surprises or for anyone to know her secrets.
“Do you have business with the crown or not?” Impatience filled her voice.
“I have your contract, Majesty. The one between you and the High King.”
That got her full attention. Rising to her feet, she stood even in height to him. “Where is it?”
“It’s with my partner. He’s the one who took it from theaþaswerewho was dying.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing. How is that possible?”
“Magic, Majesty. And magic guards it still.”
“How so?”
“My partner has betrayed us. Instead of killing theaþaswereas you demanded, he’s transferred the contract and is keeping it safe.”
“And you’ve done nothing about it?” Each word was spat out in staccato.
“I wasn’t sure what to do, Majesty. Do you want me to bring the contract to you?”
She cast a furious glower to her men, then met his gaze. “Walk with me.”
Knowing better than to walk at her side as an equal, he let her lead him from her throne room.
Her guards fell in far behind them so that they wouldn’t be able to overhear, but close enough they could kill him if he posed a threat. How well trained they were.
Meara went into her stone-walled garden that held statues of those who’d opposed her reign. It was said that she had a sorceress who made sure she had an eternal record of all her defeated enemies.
Truly creepy. And it said it all about how she relished her cruelty.
Diflyn averted his gaze from them, not wanting a reminder of what could easily become of him.
Once they reached the center, Meara stopped to rake a less-than-impressed grimace over his body. “Fetch me that contract. I need it in my possession.”
“And what of your assassin?”
“Kill them both. Garyn and Gisela. Bring me their heads along with the contract and you’ll be most rewarded.”
Gisela waiteduntil Xaydin was fully asleep before she carefully pulled herself away from him. She hated leaving his side and would have preferred to stay with him for the rest of her life.
Naked in bed. Just the two of them.
If only they could.
How awful that the world wouldn’t leave people in peace. No wonder love was rare. First you had to find the one you wanted to be with, and then you had to win their heart.
That was difficult enough. Then enter a world that was forever trying to destroy the bond between you.
Enemies. Friends. Those who envied the fact you’d found what they could only dream of.
