I used to think she was sensitive. Soft. Now, I see that she is more resilient than I could ever be. I question if the deep-rooted suspicion I cling to is really so good.
My thoughts stray back to the king. The man who invades my personal space, walks in on me naked, and kills those who threaten me. He inhabits my dreams and waking thoughts alike, despite how furiously I try to shove him to the corners of my conscience.
“Neela! Hello!" Arlet calls to one of the Enduar women engrossed in conversation with two women holding hands. I notice the way one of their hands is obscured, and I wonder if she clutches a hammer like the rest of them.
The woman Arlet knows, Neela, is a stunning creature with deep iron-colored hair and piercing blue eyes. She gives us a kind smile before breaking off from her conversation and coming to say hello. I stand beside Arlet, prepared to attack at any moment.
“Arlet,” she attempts, stumbling over all the consonants. “It is good to see you again. This is the other woman? King Teo’s human?”
Hishuman? I practically snap my jaws at her—except she’s right. The two women holding hands turn to look at me, and I don’t miss the strange looks they cast at my hair.
Then I notice the small bundle nestled against one of the women’s breasts, and guilt floods through me. She’s not holding a weapon. She’s a mother.
Neela bares her unarmored teeth. “Control yourself. You are no longer in Zlosa,” she warns before leaving.
Arlet yanks me around to face her. “What the hell was that? They were being kind," she says angrily.
I narrow my eyes at my friend. “Leave me be. I didn’t know there was a baby right there.” I like children, it would never be my intention to hurt one.
My red-headed friend shakes her head. “Neela is nothing but kind, and she’s not the exception. They are strange. Tall, gruff, and the tails are unnerving, but they have done nothing to you. It's as clear as day that what you were told is a lie—isn’t that why you agreed to marry the king? I know you are upset about Mikal, but the giants did that, not them. He is gone. You’ve proven that going after him is pointless. You know better than anyone—sometimes it is necessary to cut your losses.”
I grit my teeth, anger still simmering beneath my skin. I want to spit on her, remind her that she let him go. Arlet has always been too trusting, too forgiving, and it grates on my nerves. She thinks my betrothal is a change of heart.
“You think too highly of them. I agreed to marry the kingbecause of Mikal. Gods, Arlet. I used to spend time wondering how you ever got into that relationship with Daniel, but the way you run into the arms of the predators, I am slowly realizing that you aren't naive. You are simply stupid."
Arlet's eyes widen at my words before tears glisten in her eyes, and part of me wants to take it all back. But the other part, which has been hurt for too long, doesn't want to give in. I choose repentance. “Arlet, I’m so sorry.”
I reach for her, but she pulls away.
"You... don't know anything," she says quietly, her voice shaking. "I'm not stupid. And neither are they. I feel sorry for you and King Teo—being wrapped up in your hatred will make your already miserable life that much sadder."
I open my mouth to respond, but before I can say anything, a loud commotion arises from the other side of the pavilion. I startle and slink back closer to my friend.
She doesn't want me near her. After casting me a disgusted look, Arlet moves away from me, and I am left alone in a sea of Enduares. I slowly turn, shaking to see the Enduar King in all of his cold, blue beauty.
1 By the gods.
Chapter13
Opal
ESTELA
King Teo wears a black tunic studded with silver metal, and a deep vee that exposes the Fuegorra gem on his chest. He wears rings on his fingers, and earrings dangle from his ears. He’s beautiful, like a starlit night sky. He's taller than any human man I've ever met, and his body is lean and muscular. His long, silver hair is arranged in a thick braid that falls over his shoulder. While I stare at him, it reminds me how small I am and encourages me to be bigger. Fearless.
His eyes lock onto mine, and a shivers run down my spine. Even from here, I see his nostrils flare, and his eyes grow black. The song in my stone is glad, desperate. My heart races as I try to back away, but he moves toward me, his movements fluid and powerful, before taking my hand and pulling me to the front of the party.
I hurry behind him, enveloped in his warm, clean scent.
“Good evening,” he calls to the crowd, and everyone turns their attention to us. He regards the crowds. “It seems that someone has let my secret slip.”
Laughter ripples from the Enduares, and several hurry to the large barrels of mead. They raise their glasses to us, but I am frozen. Motionless.
“I am pleased to announce my marriage to Estela, one of the humans who has come to live in our mountain.” His large, warm hand presses on the middle of my back, pushing me forward. With all of their attention on me, I struggle to breathe. “I present this gift as a token of our promise to marry on the Festival of Endu. I hope you will all join us.”
A gift?Liana didn’t say anything about that. The crowd is jovial, but I freeze when his fingers brush my hair to the side. The crystal on my chest starts to glow and everyone is captivated while he places a necklace on my throat. The chain is too short for me to look at the design, but I can tell it is dainty.
He returns to my side and takes in my face and neck. “Behold your future queen,” he says. Reverent.