Chapter 38
Talear
The Ebony Fortress
Clothed in a silvery dress that clung tight from the rise of her breasts to the floor, with a wide purple sash that wrapped under her breasts and tied in the back.
The colors of Valerian royalty. To hide her missing fingertip, Kendra had been forced to wear a pair of silky white gloves that reached her elbows.
Her shiny brushed hair was an unbound curtain, almost touching her waist in waves of varying shades of coppery-red and gold.
Led by two stoic guards, she was escorted from the consort’s chamber. As she walked, the corridors echoed with the faint sound of footsteps, amplifying the tension. Their destination—the dreaded throne room—loomed ahead.
The double doors opened to a flutter of activity and buzzing conversations. As she entered, the rich aroma of spicy meat drifted toward her, enveloping the room with a scent that would have been irresistible if she had an appetite, which she didn’t.
Pretend to go along with this sham wedding.
Before the throne, an empty table was positioned upon a raised dais, accompanied by two ornately carved high-back chairs that commanded attention.
Flanking the dais on both sides, several long tables were arranged, with seated guests chatting among themselves.
Servants scurried about, some serving platters of assorted meats and cheeses, while others busied themselves refilling drinks
Seated on the right were several Valerian lords and ambassadors, wearing similar pinched, angry expressions. On the left were distinguished high-ranking Taleari leaders engaged in lively conversations.
Mordrick greeted her just as a guard ushered her inside.
He was dressed in a dark grey uniform adorned with a mantle entwined with intricate embroidery, and silver studded gauntlets.
“You are stunning.” His stormy gaze raked her body from head to toe, then his lips tugged into a smile that suggested he was satisfied with her appearance.
He offered her his arm.
She flicked her gloved hand in the air, fingers spread. “Hiding the evidence?”
He smirked and forced her to take his elbow.
“You must be speaking of your frightful accident on Calypsta. The horror. I imagine losing a fingertip must have been quite painful, not to mention unsightly enough to desire a pair of gloves. But never fear.” He maneuvered them into the middle of the room.
“Your beauty remains unmarred by its loss.”
His cold, even tone made her want to retch and spit at him at the same time.
Once the buzzing conversations grew quiet, Mordrick addressed the room, “May I present Kendra Kunnetsov, heiress to the Valerian throne, your Queen, and my future wife.”
A wiry gray-haired Valerian dressed in sapphire and gold robes leapt to his feet with an outraged huff.
“This is preposterous. If you truly believe we will accept this…” He pointed a long finger at Kendra with a contemptuous snarl.
“This…impostor, as our queen, then you are madder than we all thought possible.”
A heavy tension descended, as all eyes turned towards her.
Mordrick’s gaze darkened, yet his demeanor remained cool and composed.
“Ambassador Marekum, I understand your reluctance in this matter. I do. Afterall, Kendra has been away from Valerian for many years. I also understand your need for verification. Therefore, I will permit any test you require as proof of her identity.”
“Good,” said the ambassador. He opened his palm, revealing a tiny moonstone. “If she is truly Valerian royalty, she will pick this up and make it glow.”
Kendra glared at her ambassador through narrowed eyes.
From his smug expression, she could tell he expected her to fail his test. The gall of the man to dispute her lineage.
She freed the chain around her neck, letting her moonstone dangle from gloved fingers.
“I have no need of your moonstone, ambassador. You see. I have one of my own.” She tore off a glove and stroked the orb with her thumb and forefinger, “given to me by my mother, Queen Emberly.”
The orb began to emit a faint glow.
“There, you see,” Mordrick said. “Now that proof has been established, Kendra, will you please inform your very loyal subjects that you have agreed to wed me.”
Ambassador Marekum’s accusing gaze leveled on hers.
Pretend to go along with this sham wedding.
She swallowed a lump of bile and whispered. “It’s true, I agreed to wed him.” There, she had said the damning words that would deliver Valeria into the hands of their most hated enemy.
Another red-faced Valerian stood up in rage. “Royal blood may proclaim her our Queen, but I refuse to bow to anyone willing to marry the likes of you.”
“Lord Mika, for your sake, I do hope you change your mind. Once I sit upon the Valerian throne, you will pledge your oath to me, your king, or die by the executioner’s blade. I’ll leave the choice to you.”
“You won’t be King for very long. You see, Mordrick.” Lord Mika’s hateful glare settled on Kendra. “Your blushing bride comes with a curse. One that will send any husband she takes to an early grave.”
Mordrick's sharp laughter was laced with ridicule. “You think I fear some ridiculous Valerian curse?”
“I think your days will be numbered the moment you wed.”
“Curse or not,” Mordrick smirked. “I will marry Kendra. I will plant my heir in her belly. After that, I will restore Calypsta to her former glory and claim her throne as well.”
Kendra blanched. I will plant my heir in her belly.
Before she could choke on his words, leather bit into her upper arm.
Mordrick led her to their table. He pulled her chair back and thrust her into her seat.
A servant poured wine into her chalice, while another set a plate of roasted meat and a trencher of steamed vegetables in front of her.
It was then she noticed Mordrick’s setting included a knife, and hers did not.
She was about to question him when she noticed Reyne silently enter the room. Her heart leapt with joy. He was clean-shaven again, and wore a grey uniform adorned with a crimson mantle. She wanted to run to him and throw herself into the safety of his warm, welcoming arms.
Pretend to go along with this sham wedding.
Beside her, a frown marred Mordrick’s temple as his narrowed eyes tracked Reyne’s movements while he prowled the periphery of the room.
Kendra picked up her ornate chalice and took a deep sip for courage. “Why do you hate Reyne so much?”
“I don’t hate Reyne, not really. It was my older brother I despised.”
“Brother?” How had she failed to realize that Reyne’s father was Mordrick’s brother? It seemed so obvious now. So damn obvious.
“Dante was meant for the Order of the Ramachii. This would have paved the way for me, as well. But the damn fool fell for a rebel whore.”
Kendra was so stunned by his fierce bitterness, that she couldn’t manage to reply.
“Then he partnered up with Odin Masters. Together, they tried to overthrow our uncle and turn the ruling of Talear over to the people. Even knowing my ambitions, Dante still let Marlena and Odin lead him astray. He chose them over me. His kin. The day they wed, I grabbed my long sword and challenged our uncle Uther. When I ascended the throne, I had only one thought: Revenge against my brother, and his whore wife. When they died fighting for their worthless cause, I found the perfect instrument of revenge. I took their precious son and vowed to mold him into the one thing I knew they would both despise.”
“Ramachii.” The name slipped out in a hushed whisper.
The smile touched his lips lacked humor. “What better revenge? Their son, a marked servant—my servant. I have spent years molding Reyne in my image.”
“Reyne is nothing like you,” Kendra blurted, regretting her hasty words the moment they spewed from her mouth.
Mordrick’s grey eyes darkened. “Are you sure? You are here, are you not? I can assure you that my prig of a brother would never have delivered you into my hands. Peace between Valeria and Talear, was what he desired.”
“Is that why you are hell-bent on ruling Valeria? Another childish way to spite your deceased brother?”
“Childish?” He chuckled and stabbed a juicy piece of meat with the tip of his knife. “My aspirations go far beyond my deceased brother, and Valeria.” He held the sliced meat in front of her, expecting her to eat from his dagger.
A wave of humiliation stained her cheeks as she realized all eyes were on her again.
She despised being on display like this.
Mordrick leaned down to whisper into her ear. “Eat from my knife, Kendra. Or I will tie you down on our wedding night and thrash the defiance out of you with my bare hands.”
Kendra took the meat into her mouth, trying not to gag as she chewed.
A beeping noise rattled from a shiny black object on the table.
Mordrick flipped open the communicator and lifted it to his ear.
“What?” He listened for a moment, then his lips twisted into a smile that set her already frayed nerves closer to the edge.
“Really? How very interesting...Yes, do bring him in.” The device closed with a decisive snap.
Mordrick stood and addressed the room with a cheerful tone laced with arrogant satisfaction. “It would seem that fate has blessed our union with a very special gift.”
Gift? Her imagination spun out of control.
The huge doors were thrown open to reveal a man clasped in heavy shackles. He was dragged into the middle of the room by a chain attached to a metal collar and brought to his knees.
She was going to retch.
“Odin Masters.” The name rolled from Mordrick’s tongue with a mix of loathing and amusement. “What a pleasure it is to finally meet you in the flesh.”
Heavy metal links scraped the floor as Odin lifted his head to stare at Mordrick through icy blue eyes burning with hate. “I wish I shared the sentiment, but alas. It hurts to even look at something as vile as you.”