4. FOUR #2
I want to smack that grin off this Lord Duponte fellow’s face but bite my tongue. Now is the time to listen and assess. I will have plenty of time to correct their foolishness later.
“Have you considered which others you’ll take as wives? One who might be worthy of the empress title one day?” the man at the far end of the table asks.
Why would someone make a life vow to more than one person? I remember reading about a nation south of the Medici Seas that commonly takes more than one partner, but that tradition is steeped in respect and devotion. This makes it sound like women are a commodity to be traded.
My chair scrapes across the ground like a dagger on armor as I stand.
So much for holding my tongue. “I apologize for any confusion. I’m not fully aware of Veloria’s customs, but in Kalisham such a union is only made once.
Your emperor will take only one wife. Until I die or we agree to nullify our vows, as is my tradition. ”
Not that we discussed such things before I was rushed to this meeting. Any amount of planning would have been wise. I wonder if my cunning husband-to-be put me on the spot to test how I would react.
Their faces range from surprise to disgust. Their ignorance chips away at my patience.
The same councilor who suggested more than one partner glares down his sharp, ivory nose at me. “Don’t assume you speak for the emperor, woman,” he scolds.
My muscles tense with the desire to break his insolent jaw.
How dare he speak so disrespectfully to any woman, let alone his future queen?
The emperor finishes his loop around the table and comes to stand by my side.
He places his hand on the small of my back, stroking the exposed skin with his thumb, then taps the spot slowly.
The intimate gesture is a warning, a bid for patience. I suppress a shiver and swallow my rage—for the moment.
“She speaks the truth, Lord Weisman. I have no intention of marrying anyone else.”
“But…it’s tradition,” he stutters out.
“Strange. I wasn’t aware that I set any marriage traditions for Veloria yet. Surely you aren’t speaking of the customs of a dead kingdom. One where too many queens and their children fought over a throne they didn’t deserve.”
The men shift in their seats and glance at the flower arrangement again. What in the world is so threatening about a bouquet? Their irritation is palpable as they turn to Lord Barista, the calmest of the group. “Sire, if I may.”
“You may not.” His voice chills the room like a mountain gale, but his palm is hot on my back, each slow stroke of his thumb equal parts threatening and comforting. Fire and ice.
“This matter is not up for discussion. You all pushed for me to take a wife when I was perfectly happy putting it off. I’ve done what you asked.
The wedding will be in three weeks. Make your preparations and follow whatever Princess Ardeshir tells you about her ceremonial requirements.
” His command leaves no room for further argument.
The men get up, bow, and retreat from the room. Their hatred palpable long after they exit.
The emperor drops his hand from my back as soon as we are alone, as if the touch burned him.
“Three weeks?”
“It seemed like a fair amount of time. You’d prefer a later date with your home in peril?”
“No. Three weeks is a bit far away, actually,” I challenge. Honestly, I don’t want to be married at all, let alone in three short weeks. If I had my way, I would be on a ship to Kalisham in the morning with an army of experienced soldiers armed to the teeth.
“If you’re that eager, I could call a priest to my bedchamber right now.”
The emperor’s blank stare gives nothing away, but for his sake, I assume his words are in jest. Slapping my new ally wouldn’t be wise. My mind goes unbidden to the thought of our tangled limbs, my cheeks warming at the image of his caress on more than just my back.
Focus, Mina.
My usual witty repartee abandons me as I finally manage to say, “Three weeks is perfect.”
His icy demeanor gives way to a smug smile for the briefest of moments, and my breath catches at the sight. It seems so out of place on the ruthless man.
Staefan opens the door. I put some much-needed distance between us, unaware that we had gravitated so close together.
“I’ve seen to the preparation of her room.”
The emperor nods his gratitude. “Some of my council may try to sway fate. Remain in your room until I call for you in the morning. We’ll discuss our arrangement in more detail then.”
The emperor doesn’t seem like a man who would stand for such bold attempts on my life, but his reign is in its infancy. There are bound to be a few bad weeds to pluck.
“I understand. Thank you, Staefan.” I nod at both men before making my way into the hall where four guards, armed with long swords, wait. I resist the urge to finger the dagger strapped to my thigh, its cool metal a small comfort.
I could kill two before the others fully draw their blades.
I smile sweetly at the nearest guard, and he blushes before holding out his arm for me to follow.
Make that three.
As they lead me through an unfamiliar maze of sterile stone halls, my grief gives way to a new pressure. A dangerous thrum I haven't felt since I witnessed my precious family fall.
I’ll have my vengeance…as long as I can survive the night.