Amos sat at the ostentatious dining table in his father’s palace, surrounded by drunk, laughing highborn men. His father sat at the head of the table with Janelle, his mistress since the queen died, on his lap.
Janelle was only twenty-one. Before becoming the king’s mistress, she’d been the queen’s lady’s maid. Alice didn’t say, but Amos knew she didn’t like the young woman.
Janelle had always been kind to him during the sporadic occasions they interacted. She used to have light blonde hair, but when she started working for the queen, she had dyed it dark brown. Her skin was a pale fawn color, and she wore pink stuff on her cheeks and lips.
Callum, the Mountain King and the only man not drunk, leaned over. “You look ready to strangle Merrick, son. Control your face.”
Amos slid his gaze to the Mountain King and nodded. Callum despised Amos’ father, but like Amos, he played a part well.
Months ago, Callum came to their kingdom. When other royals visited, Amos had to stand in his father’s office and learn how to be diplomatic. The Mountain King requested Phillip allow him access to the birth records for a girl named Amelia born on the same day as his son.
Every muscle in Amos’ body had locked up. He’d remembered from his conversation with Clover’s family that he shared a birthday with Prince Rennick. He’d known in his gut that Amelia was Rennick’s mate.
Amos had told Alice his suspicions, and she’d agreed, assuring him Callum was a good man and would be additional protection for his sister. She’d said Queen Charlotte had always liked Callum, too, and that had told Amos all he needed to know.
He’d had to tell Callum where his son’s mate was. The Mountain King wouldn’t think to check the Human Kingdom records because no human had ever been mated to a royal fae before. Royals were the only fae with mates, so it was easy to keep track of.
Alice had pretended to deliver tea to Callum’s room after dinner that night and had slipped a note from Amos on the tray.
That night, Amos had met with Callum and told him everything about Amelia. The king had promised to help protect her in any way he could. Ever since, the Mountain King had visited more often, pretending to be friends with Amos’ father. And every visit, he and hisfamiliar, a giant snow leopard with long fangs named Reyna, met with Amos in private.
At first, Amos had thought Callum just wanted updates on Amelia, but he’d rarely ask about her. Instead, he’d ask aboutAmos and how he was doing. He’d given him advice, and assured him when Amos was old enough to take the throne, he would assist Amos in eliminating his father if needed.
“Did you hear me, son?” Callum asked when Amos didn’t respond, too lost in his memories.
Amos schooled his face and nodded. “I thought I looked amused.”
Callum chuckled. “If that’s what you think amusement looks like, we have bigger problems.”
Shifting in his seat, he looked toward his father at the other end of the table. Since his mother’s death, Amos had claimed her old seat at the end of the table opposite his father. He was glad for it. The farther from that bastard, the better.
A pretty maid brought another round of ale, and Paul, the son of a highborn councilman, reached out, grabbed her dress over her backside, and yanked her toward him. “You forgot mine, sweetheart.”
She stumbled back, and a mug tumbled over the side. Paul’s father, seated beside him, took the majority of the spill and jumped up, swearing.
Amos knew what would happen next, and so did Callum. The Mountain King glanced at Amos and shook his head once. A warning:don’t do anything stupid.
They watched as Paul’s father’s sickly ivory skin turned red with anger. “You clumsy bitch,” Paul spat, handing his father a napkin.
The girl looked frantic, still holding her tray with other mugs, stammering that it wasn’t her fault. “He pulled back.”
Paul glared at her, and Amos knew she had made a dangerous enemy.
One of the waitstaff came running over with more napkins, another ran in with a broom to sweep up the broken glass, and the maid tried to finish passing out the ale.
The staff, including the girl, cleared out, and Amos breathed a sigh of relief. It was sad when someone being degraded and humiliated for an accident that wasn’t their fault brought relief. Depending on the mood of the men, sometimes the outcome was much worse.
“My apologies,” the king said with a sigh. “The girl is new and still in training.”
Paul’s father pushed in his chair. “Sometimes these women need a heavy hand to learn. You are a merciful king.” He bowed slightly. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to change.”
A merciful king. Amos’ lip curled.
“Easy,” Callum murmured.
Amos adjusted in his seat, wanting to leave, but he had the opportunity to gain the trust of his enemies. “May I teach her a lesson, Father?” He grinned cruelly. Callum knew his game and sat back, letting him play the role.
The king looked at him approvingly, and a few men chuckled. “Young and eager,” his father remarked. “You may.”
