Page 148 of Given to the Black King

“Peace is still cheaper.”

“Yes.”

“You learned that from me.”

“I learned the numbers from you. The rest I learned when you put me on the wrong side of them.”

He flinches.

Then Iona takes his hand.

Not forgiveness. The bond makes that clear.

Farewell.

Callas’s fingers close around hers once.

“I am sorry.”

“I know.”

She releases him. “Go.”

The guards escort him out.

Perr follows with the document cases. At the doors, Callas stops and turns back.

“Are you happy?”

The question is for Iona.

The whole hall listens.

She looks at me.

Through the bond, I feel the answer before she gives it. Warm. Certain. Entirely her own.

“Yes.”

Callas nods once and leaves.

The doors close.

Iona returns to the dais.

She sits on the cracked throne arm instead of taking her chair.

“You threatened a sovereign council for me.”

“They are not sovereign enough to price my mate.”

“Our treaty says otherwise.”

“The treaty is wrong.”

“It is not.”

The court has not left. Every face is carefully blank.