He wished she were here, then maybe he wouldn’t be so alone.
TWO WEEKS LATER
Amos fought the urge to scratch at the healing scabs on his back. Tender to the touch, scratching would give him no real relief, but the way they itched drove him insane.
He quickly dressed and hurried to his father’s office to tell him the name of his mate. Today was his birthday in the eyes of the kingdom, and the council waited on pins and needles for the name of their future queen.
All night, he’d tried to think of a name that no one would possess. He’d settled on Jennifer. Surely no one had a name like that.
Before he’d left Dragon’s Village, he and Rainer had formulated a plan. Amos would give a fake name, and when nosuch person existed, he would claim to not feel the bond. He didn’t know what would happen after that, but it was their only choice.
Rainer also told Amos to start a list of those who supported his father and his father’s ways. Observing conversations would become Amos’ hobby, and if possible, he would act as though he agreed. Rainer said if the men believed him to be like his father, they would be more open with their true beliefs.
He hated it, but it would be necessary to start eradicating the loyalists now. It would make the transition to the new ways smoother. Hopefully.
Standing dutifully outside his father’s office, he awaited the king’s arrival. Showing up to a meeting with his father late would only feed the king’s ire.
“Son,” his father’s voice called, jerking him from his thoughts.
The king’s smile, so much like Amos’ own, was bright. Amos hated that he looked like the monster before him. Golden blond hair, suntanned skin from the unforgiving Desert sun, and hazel eyes. All Stratton traits that had been passed down for generations except for a few heirs here and there, like Rainer.
Phillip patted Amos’ shoulder, aggravating his wounds. His father’s ability to switch between cruel dictator and doting father was unsettling. The morning after turning his son’s back into ribbons of flesh, he’d come to Amos’ room and apologized for having to be hard on him.“A king needs discipline,”he’d said,“and you’re too soft. You need to toughen up and follow my lead.”
Amos would rather die than turn into his father, and it soothed him to know that if he ever did become another version of Phillip, Rainer would kill him.
The king opened his office door and sauntered inside. “Have a seat. I already have the list of fae with your birthday.” Helooked excited, and Amos wanted to throw up. “What’s their name?”
Amos cleared his throat. “Jennifer.”
His father paused and looked up. “Jennifer?”
Amos chuckled, hoping it sounded normal. “Ridiculous, isn’t it? I’m sure a woman named her.” Every time something vile crossed his lips, he reminded himself to remember the plan.Make the men believe you’re one of them.
The king’s booming laugh made Amos’ skin crawl. “Indeed. Let’s see which kingdom she’s from.”
Silently, Amos practiced his lines.“I don’t feel the bond.” “Is that normal?” “It’s not?” “Do you think she’s dead?”
Easy. He could do this.
The king tapped the paper with a wide smile. “She’s a Desert girl, and a highborn at that.”
Amos’ blood ran cold.That’s not possible.
“You’re sure?” he croaked. “Jennifer?”
The king arched a brow. “I can read, son. She’s from an oasis village. Her family would be at the bottom of the highborn here, but there, they’re top of the food chain.” He laughed and clapped his hands once. “This is excellent news.”
This could not be happening. Amos rubbed the back of his neck to give himself time to think. “Do I have to meet her now? I don’t want to be tied down to a girl yet.”What a stupid excuse.
The king winked. “You won’t have to be. We’ll bring her here for training, but you can still scratch your itch with whomever you’d like.”
Scratch his itch? What did that mean?
“Okay,” Amos conceded, not knowing what else to say. “When will she arrive?”
“It’s early enough to send for her today. The East Oasis is only a half day ride from here.”
And just like that, Amos’ life went from terrible to horrific.
