Page 87 of A Cruel Kindness

The man who’d both ruined my life and given me the greatest gift I’d ever known.

He walked slowly towards us, the type of grating pace that only someone in his position of power can pull off, forcing everyone to wait while he did what he pleased.

Alistair’s hands were clasped in front of him, openly inspecting me and Bellamy.

How close we were standing. My hand disappearing under the fall of her hair. The lines of our Mark curling over our shoulders.

When he stopped, he simply turned his hand upwards, a silent beckon for Bellamy to reach out and take it.

She did, moving just as slowly as her father did. Once her hand was in his, he took a step back, pulling her with him.

To anyone else, it would look like he was taking a second to inspect his daughter, ensuring she was well after war.

I knew better. He’d wanted her away from me.

Bellamy was unmarried, and as a Royal, that status was more precious than any gem in the Royal stores.

Her father likely had plans for her. I had to clench my jaw to restrain myself. He didn’t get to tell her what to do.

That was up to her. If she chose to bring me into that conversation, I wouldn’t complain, but I wouldn’t force my way in.

“You look well,” Alistair said after a moment, a clear note of doubt in his voice as if he expect her to come back weathered and harmed.

We would never hurt her, the Bond grumbled, agitated.

“I’ve been treated well,” Bellamy said, her voice thin with defensiveness. Good girl.

Only then did Alistair’s eyes slide to me. “Ah, yes. Welcome back, Soren. We all missed you dearly.” His words were kind enough. His stare, however, left a lot to be desired. “To celebrate your return, we’ve thrown together a small gathering this evening.”

I dipped my chin down in one easy nod, my years of training in diplomacy and grace cementing themselves from muscle memory. “I’m honored. It will be nice to relish in some of the luxuries of the capital before we return to our duties at the Bridge.”

My words sent a titter throughout the crowd. I guessed my popularity hadn't dwindled, maybe even grew from sick fascination of new life.

That pleased my mother to no end, though I’d seen it for exactly what it was. Same as Bellamy was surely subject to, all they saw was a reasonably handsome face and power.

“Wonderful,” Alistair said with a thin smile. “Your trip was long, so the festivities begin soon.” He spoke as if we had inconvenienced him for not speeding up the trip. “I think its wise to get you out of these tainted clothes, don’t you think?”

Bellamy’s back went straighter, though it had been perfectly straight before he spoke. The intentional slight at Muli was not lost on her. We were in clothing that had touched another planet.

That fact seemed to dawn on the court, oohs and ahs erupting around us. A few hands drifted towards us before jerking back, as if our clothes contained poison.

Good God.

I was opening my mouth to spin some crafty excuse for why we should be left the fuck alone, but Alistair was quicker.

He nodded off to the side, at my father, I realized. Before I could do anything to stop it, Bellamy was pulled off in the hands of House Edelstenne while I was shuffled away by a collection of Rystroms.

The Bond shrieked and screamed and I could do nothing to placate it.

Chapter 21

Bellamy

My back was ramrod straight as the same handmaiden that had been with me for twenty years curled my hair and pinned it up on my head to cool.

She had stopped trying to make conversation, even though it was clear she was bursting at the seam with questions, after my third muttered, one word response.

It had been two hours since I’d seen Soren.