I bolt forward and whip around. “Are you purring?”
He narrows his eyes, and his tail flicks out behind him. “Does it matter?”
My mouth opens. “I—”
He steps toward me. “I’ll say it again: I am not your enemy.”
It’s unclear what he wishes to accomplish with this conversation, but I can’t let whatever just occurred happen again. “Enemies, maybe not, but I will never be your docile wife. You stole me, you hoped for me to be grateful, and I am not. The lessons learned away from the giants cannot be unlearned by pretty songs and a beautiful view.” I shoot another glare at him and smooth the skirt of my dress.
His gaze softens, and he slowly steps away. My body relaxes as he does.
“Our deal didn’t require you to enjoy my presence. But it did require you to learn how to lead these people. You seem to be healed. It’s time to start acting like a queen,” he says quietly before turning away. “You need to be careful.”
Then, someone emerges from the shadows. One of the king's advisors. The one who doesn't like Arlet.
He whispers something into the king's ear, and the king nods before turning his gaze back to me.
"I have matters I must attend to," he explains, his tone short and curt. "I meant what I said. Stay out of trouble."
With that, he strides away, disappearing into the darkness. I watch him go.
The throb in my hand is nearly gone, but my throat is raw, and my blood is still rushing through my veins. I am unsure what to do now. I could go back to my room.Or...I look back to the pavilion and see the party resumed. My chest aches with how I treated Arlet, I said things out of anger that should have never been spoken. I don't belong there.
I look back at the direction the king went, and a new option flares to life. A queen should also be invited to important meetings, right? He seems so good at finding out my thoughts and secrets. It’s time to learn some of his.
1 Shit.
2 Damned Enduares.
Chapter14
Morganite
TEO
Vann pulls away, and anger is twisting in my gut.They are here.The giants have returned with an answer. My tail flicks to the side while I say goodbye to Estela, and leave behind the burning embers of tension between us.
By the time we reach the bridge, Faol appears, carrying my armor. I put it on quickly, using my tail to assist with the straps and ties. When I am finished, I turn to Vann.
“Go for a group of hunters,” I tell him. “Make sure that Lothar comes too.” He nods and heads down a different tunnel.
In the light of the Ardorflame, I walk alongside Faol through the cavern to the passage leading out of Enduvida. Memories from the year I spent in the Giant Court negotiating a peace treaty swirl before me. Then I think of the First Prince looking upon my mate, whipping her, desiring her.
Weak,my father's voice whispers. I ignore it.
Fate has been cruel to me and my people. I have to believe I am strong enough to keep my mate and save my people.
Lothar, Vann, and the other hunters join me at the exit. As we cross into the snowy over world, we are greeted by a tall, brown tent. The leathered flaps are new, still in pristine shape, and inside there is an oblong wooden table. The skins of the tent smell like humid forest air and expensive oils, the signature scent of Zlosian royalty.
The giants are taking no chances this time. Twelve warriors flank a seated figure. My eyes narrow on the enormous chair, made from a carved tree stump. Intricate flowers and leaves run up and down its sides with gems accenting the handiwork. Those are our gems.
This sweaty mammoth commanded slaves to carry the monstrosity from Zlosa to my mountain so that he could sit and look me in the eye. There are no slaves in this room. I wonder where they’ve hidden them.
To my surprise, it is not the First Prince seated behind the table. Though we have never met, I believe I am staring at the Second Prince. I think bitterly how the queen called him her favored son. He is smaller than his brother and less scarred—hopefully he will also be easier to manage.
"Giant," I say coolly, not deigning to nod my head. "I do not know you."
His hair, also wiry and red like his brother's, sticks out around his head as he nods, not standing. "Enduar. My name is Prince Rholker, Second Prince to King Erdaraj.”