Page 128 of Her Ivory Flame

She gave Kaden a hesitant smile, his eyes wary but comforting and tugged at their bond for reassurance. He glanced her way, but kept his face completely stoic, all the men looking like stone status.

They all had to play the part.

Nodding to the guard, she watched the man push the door open and the sound of the room slammed into her, but she didn’t falter.

Summoning what power she had chipped away at, she let her flame burn around her and started to enter the vast room with her men behind her.

Straight ahead was the governor’s chair on a small dais, his body lazily sitting in it with one leg curled over the arm of it. She was surprised he was able to maneuver in that kind of position with his large belly, but she didn’t focus on that.

Keeping her chin up, she glanced around seeing a variety of people staring at her with wide eyes. Most of these people wouldnot have been in Elnora at Emris’s ball, so seeing her was still shocking to them.

Oak shifted in his seat as she approached and held his arms out to her in welcome.

“I see you decided on different attire than I had sent you,” he said through a clenched smile.

“I prefer not to dress like a slut,” she spat back, keeping the smile on her face.

“If you look around, that is the attire I require my female subjects to wear at my events.”

“I am not your subject,” she growled, her smile fading and her fire burning a little brighter.

He narrowed his eyes on her but sat back in his chair more, obviously realizing he would lose that argument.

She glanced around for a moment, confirming what he had said and realized almost every female here was in the same skimpy outfit they had delivered to her and Raine. Only really regal females looked to be in their own clothes, arms looped around nobleman’s arms.

“I want you to sit with me for a while, show your commitment to this kingdom you claim to want to protect.” Oak demanded.

“There is only one chair.” She glared.

“It’s custom for the female guest to sit on the governor’s lap for at least one song.”

Kaden let out a low growl of disapproval, but she soothed their bond between them in hopes he would understand she would be ok. She glanced at him, his eyes letting her know that he got the message and she took a deep breath.

“One song Oak.” She snarled, “If you want to keep any of your appendages from being seared off, I suggest you keep your hands on the arm rests.”

Oak glanced around, seeing her group of men standing around her and he gave her an annoyed glare,

Letting her fire die, she started towards the man she had come to loath and heard the crowd start to buzz again. She could see out of the corner of her eye people dancing again and whispering to one another.

Kaden and Xander stayed at the edge of the dais while the rest moved out towards the dancefloor, mingling in with the others but staying nearby.

Oak kept his hands on the arm rest like she had instructed, though the look on his face it clear he was not happy about it. Keeping her face from showing utter disgust, she lowered herself onto his lap and could already feel his hardness under her.

Sudden movement caught her off guard and his hand was on her throat, a small blade between his skin and hers. He pulled her back against him, his second hand going to her exposed leg as the slit in her dress fell around it.

Kaden went to move but she glared at him to stop knowing it would break their entire act. To everyone else it just looked like a normal, intimate stance and she knew he had planned this.

“I will get what I was promised.” Oak growled. “And I was promised you.”

Chapter 50

She snarled against him, his hand on her leg going further towards her center and she clasped her hand over it to stop him.

“Unless you want to lose your hand, I would suggest you stop now.” she warned, Kaden vibrating in anger in front of her.

“I was told when you arrived I would be rewarded for my hospitality and housing in exchange for your body.” Oak whispered. “Ever since you got here, your men have been way too protective and not keeping their end of the bargain.”

“There was no bargain.” she snapped.