Chapter 6
Harper
I feel ridiculous as I’m carried in Sevrin’s arms through the academy and then into the castle, telling Sevrin every step of the way that I really don’t need to be carried.
People stare. Maybe because Sevrin is a Hollowborn on our lands, or maybe because he’s carrying their only female dragon rider.
But it’s probably both things. We’re certainly not something people see every day.
Ahead of us, the princes keep looking back, and they’re not doing a very good job hiding their displeasure.
Every time our eyes lock, I get the deep sense that they feel I’ve betrayed them with Sevrin.
Like they didn’t know I went off to present an offer of marriage to him.
Like it’s a shock that they might have to share me with their enemy.
Maybe, like me, they didn’t think enough about what this situation would look like.
Guards open the doors to the king’s study, and it’s clear the king has been waiting for our arrival.
Fresh flowers decorate his room. Lights dance in all the sconces on the wall and from the fireplace.
His desk has been neatly cleared off, save for something I’m pretty sure is the peace treaty and a map.
And the king? Well, he’s in golden and white robes that look new and expensive.
Behind him are a couple of men who look like lords, and his advisor.
Elder Thorne is dressed in his ordinary robes.
His white hair and beard have neither been trimmed nor combed back.
There is still an air to him that I don’t like.
His expression is neutral, but his eyes blaze with unspoken anger.
Not that it matters. I’m sure many of the king’s people aren’t happy with this treaty, but it didn’t stop the king from making it.
“King of the Hollowborns!” King Stormvale greets, opening his arms wide in welcome.
Sevrin nods with me in his arms. “King Stormvale, I am King Sevrin Grimsbane of the Hollowborn. I have come here under a flag of peace and union. My voice will represent that of all my people, and we will all follow the agreement formed here today. I hope the same can be said of your people.”
“A man who gets straight to the point. I like it,” he says, flashing a grin.
His advisor mumbles, “I didn’t even know it could talk.”
King Stormvale flashes the advisor a look of warning, then is back smiling at Sevrin.
“The peace agreement is here, along with a map indicating the area of our lands we are allowing the Hollowborn to use, as per the agreement. All the resources within this area will be yours to use. But, of course, this agreement will be void if… the information you have about the male dragons doesn’t prove to be true or useful. ”
Sevrin’s face is a mask of indifference. “You will find my information both true and useful.”
The king claps his hands together. “Good. Once the agreement has been signed, we will have the wedding tomorrow, and then we’ll get the information about the male dragons.”
Sevrin doesn’t look concerned. “We’ve already had a wedding under my people’s customs, so we are already husband and wife in our eyes, but I understand the ceremony is important for your people, and for uniting us with your sons.
” He casts the princes a glance, but I can’t decide what he’s thinking.
But the princes… they look absolutely shocked.
“Shouldn’t we have been consulted before you had your little wedding?” Lucien asks angrily.
His father presses his lips together in annoyance. “That’s a rather small matter. Let’s focus on the bigger picture.”
“This is not how it’ll go once we’re married,” Lucien continues, taking a step closer to Sevrin.
As intimidating as he is, Sevrin doesn’t even waiver.
If his arms didn’t tighten around me, I’d have no indication that he was the least bit disturbed by the big, angry man in front of him.
It’s strange, the three princes might be big, but I think this is their first time meeting a man who is even bigger.
I wonder if that changes the power balance between them at all.
Sevrin’s glance slides from the angry prince back to the king. “Are they needed for this? Perhaps it would be easier to do this deal between men.”
“It’s an insult to the Dravari princes,” Elder Thorne hisses.
“We’re men enough.” Lucien’s words are as sharp as glass.
Alaric places a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that. We’re from different cultures. Things can get lost in translation.”
The king draws everyone's attention back to him. “Shall we review the peace agreement then?”
Sevrin looks down at me, those honey-colored eyes gentling. “I’m going to put you down in this seat. You’ll tell me if you need anything?”
I want to kiss him, but know better than that. “I will.”
He sets me down in the chair like I’m something terribly fragile, and his hands linger on me for the briefest moment before he releases me and turns away.
The look on his face says he doesn’t trust the princes with me, but he slowly circles the table until he comes to stand beside the king.
With every muscle in his body tense, he leans over the peace agreement and begins reading.
Time ticks away, but I’m the only one who sits.
The guards, the advisor, the other lords, even the king and the princes remain standing as Sevrin goes through the lengthy document and the map.
After a time, drinks are handed out. The fire is built up once more, and the tension in the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Finally, Sevrin straightens his back and stands above the document. “I am pleased to see that everything is satisfactory for the Hollowborn. I am prepared to sign the agreement.”
“As am I,” the king says.
Sevrin signs first, followed by King Stormvale.
When they’re done, I start to clap, but I’m the only one.
The advisor turns and mumbles a string of very impolite curses.
The princes look ready for a fight. Only the king and Sevrin shake hands.
The king is smiling broadly, and Sevrin has a serious look on his face.
“You will enjoy your time in Elarwyn. We have prepared our finest room and all you can–”
“Which room is Harper in?” Sevrin asks smoothly.
The king seems caught off-guard, but recovers quickly. “Harper is in one of the rooms designated for our dragon riders. It is a very plain room without any of–”
“I’ll stay with her.”
“The hell you will,” Gareth growls.
“We all have our own rooms. Separate rooms,” Lucien emphasizes, a tick in his jaw.
Sevrin ignores them, focusing on the king. “My bride is likely hungry and tired. I would like her needs tended to in our room.”
“Yes–” the king begins.
“Did you not hear me?” Lucien cuts in, looking frustrated.
But Sevrin doesn’t slow. “I would also like a healer sent to our room to tend to her ankle. She says it’s fine, but I saw her pain when she was climbing off of Ebron, and I won’t have her in pain.”
“I can tend to it,” I tell Sevrin. “I have all my healer’s supplies in my room.”
He gives a sharp nod.
“We’ll send someone if it’s needed,” King Stormvale says with a nod of his head, and it’s the first time I think I’ve ever seen someone speak to the king like they’re equals.
“Just remember, the wedding will be tomorrow. None of this is a done deal until you’re wed and we have the information about the male dragons. This is a treaty bound by marriage.”
“Not to worry, I will do your meaningless ceremony. Until then, I’m going to focus on my bride and ensure she recovers well from her travels.”
“Just a minute,” Lucien says, getting in his face. “She’s our betrothed. You don’t need to focus on caring for her, we will.”
A look of amusement is there and gone in a flash as Sevrin steps closer, not the least bit intimidated.
“First of all, none of the three of you strike me as the type of men to care for a woman, regardless of whether or not you see her as yours. Not once since we’ve come here have any of the three of you even asked how Harper was feeling.
None of you have even looked at her with anything other than possession.
Second of all, you might be engaged to Harper, I might have to share her with you one day, but today, she’s my bride, and she’s my concern, not yours. ”
Gareth and Alaric step up behind their brother, fists clenched. Gareth speaks in a low, threatening voice. “You’re not taking care of her today, and you’re sure as fuck not spending the night with her.”
King Stormvale is suddenly between them. He gives a nervous laugh. “Forgive my sons, they are passionate. We will, of course, send Harper with you, so you can care for her. And you will, of course, share the room with your bride tonight.”
“Father–” Alaric begins.
Anger flashes across the king’s face. “It’s decided.”
Sevrin moves away from them, picks me up, and slides me back into his arms. “Come, My Heart, show me our room.”
I don’t know what to say, so I just whisper, “Okay.”
He turns and walks away without the slightest care in the world, but I look back at the room full of men. The king looks relieved. His advisor and the other lords look pissed. And the princes? They seem devastated. It makes my heart beat faster.
This is going to be a complete disaster…