Yarif blinked owlishly. “What do you mean?”
“Do you promise the same to me? Respect? No abuse?”
Yarif barked out a laugh. “Me? Abuse you? You’re a trained warrior.”
“As are you. Your methods might differ from mine, but Rufe has told me what happened the day the kingdom was captured. You held off several well-trained soldiers. I’d like you to show me your method of fighting.”
Yarif hung his head. He must have expected Draylon to be unyielding. Closing in on himself, voice small, Yarif said, “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
After taking a deep breath, Yarif ended life as Draylon knew it. “I promise all the things you ask that are mine to give. I will use my knowledge and training to benefit m… our kingdom, whether fighting or bookkeeping.”
Too easy. Time would tell if Yarif kept his word. Draylon paused a moment before murmuring, “I have one more thing to ask.”
Yarif lifted his head, resignation clear in his slumped shoulders, slight frown, and tired eyes. “Is there anything else I could possibly give? I’m already giving you myself.” Based on his haggard expression, Yarif probably hadn’t slept at all last night. Draylon sure hadn’t.
“It’s a small thing really, but very important. Never, ever, under any circumstances use the expression ‘for the greater good.’”
The emperor kept Draylon waiting, a tactic long used for maximum discomfort. How Draylon hated the little games.
After enough time for him to grow extremely bored, a secretary ushered him into the former king’s office. Draylon supposed it would be his office soon unless he chose to retain the one he’d already commandeered, which might be the best idea. He had no desire to go through all the scrolls and documents lying around like a spoiled child’s toys. Best to just lock the door and pretend this room didn’t exist. Possibly, even with his father inside.
But no. He’d set Lieutenant Sompera to the task, along with Yarif, should he prove willing.
Draylon stood at attention, dressed in abbreviated armor today. Better to be a commander rather than a prince. This wasn’t a friendly visit. Then again, few to the emperor’s presence were.
No one but Father was in the office. He’d been alone and could have seen Draylon at any time.
“Ah, Commander Draylon. To what do I owe this honor?” The touch of reprimand in Father’s voice didn’t bode well. “I trust you delivered my message to the prince.”
“The king,” Draylon corrected. “Yes, I did.” He tried one more time to make his father see reason. “I do not want this marriage.”
“I know.” Father said nothing more, simply staring at Draylon expectantly. “You were saying about your pri… king.”
No getting out of matrimony, then. “He agreed under a few conditions.”
Father scowled. “He’s in no position to set conditions.”
“The only things not directed at me are his wish for the young prince and princess to remain here and to approve any betrothals made on their behalf.”
“Nothing more?”
“That’s all not directly in my power to give.” Draylon felt no need to discuss his own promises to Yarif. As conditions went, they weren’t unreasonable.
“I see.” Father stared long enough to make Draylon want to fidget. “Did he say why he wished them to remain here?”
“He doubts the queen’s abilities to see to their wellbeing.”
“Hmm… Without children underfoot I could negotiate a better contract for her.”
Contract? “Father! She’s a widow. Please tell me you’re not considering using her to seal some agreement. For pity’s sake. She’s in mourning!” So like Father! He’d likely send the beautiful noblewoman to some backwoods estate to gain concessions from the landowner.
“It’s for the greater good, and she’s not your problem. She’s mine. Yerf agreed to abdicate and to the marriage?”
“Yarif.And yes, he agreed.” Draylon clenched his jaw. Father seemed to swell with each spiteful dig, taking people doing his bidding as sustenance, pretending he couldn’t be bothered with getting names right.
Whoa be to him who underestimated Emperor Soland Aravaid.
