The Beginning of Everything by Kristen Ashley Page 0,29

chin. “I already do.”

My breath caught as Mars’s eyes started to burn red.

I’d always loved his unusual ability to do that when he was feeling deeply.

It was a sight to behold too.

One of great beauty.

And one to fear.

King Mars Laches

King’s Study, First Floor, East Corridor, Catrame Palace

FIRENZE

“Lorenz,” Mars greeted, lifting his head from the papers he was studying as delivered of Lord Johan Mattson of the Arbor that were on his desk as his captain strode into his study. “You’re back from your travels with Nyx so soon? I didn’t expect you for another week.”

Lorenz threw his large frame in a chair in front of the desk.

“I followed a Go’Doan from the bazaar at the Tebes.”

Mars narrowed his eyes at his brother, asking, “And why did you do that?”

“Because Nyx was in a mood. This mood heightened when she saw him. And as her mood heightened, as it has a way of doing, so did mine. I took his arse for her. My wife was pleased. The false priest was not. And I thought nothing of it until the next day when his acolytes brought down his tent and one of them had a marked cheek and a swollen, broken lip.”

A burn hitting his throat, Mars sat back in his chair.

“Did you ask what he was doing in Firenze?” Mars inquired.

“He makes his way to Fire City, obviously, since I’m here. And he says he’s a teacher.”

“Do you think he’s a teacher?”

“No, I think he’s a maggot,” Lorenz said harshly. “And I think G’Dor was a Go’Doan before he renounced that faith to serve our king and marry Sofia. Though, it might prove true we would understand all too late why he didn’t renounce the name they gave him. And I do not have to tell you, Mars, I still do not believe the Go’Doan did not have anything to do with the murder of your father.”

“This was investigated thoroughly, Lorenz,” Mars said low.

“And you don’t believe they had nothing to do with it either,” Lorenz replied. “This is why you have them watched.”

Mars didn’t say anything for there was nothing to say and Lorenz knew it.

This was why he had the false ones watched.

“I want to play with his priest,” Lorenz shared.

“You only need Nyx’s permission for that,” Mars told him.

Lorenz curled out of his lounge, leaning forward, elbows to his knees, eyes on his king.

“I want to play with him, Mars,” Lorenz growled.

“Will I have troubles with Go’Doan ambassadors with how you play?”

“Maybe.”

Mars stared into his warrior’s eyes.

“Play,” he granted.

Lorenz smiled a smile Mars liked, Nyx would like more, this Go’Doan might not like at all (then again, he might), and his warrior pushed out of his seat.

He started to leave the room, but Mars caught him by calling his name, and he turned back.

“The Go’Doan are here to tend our sick and teach our children. They do not have immunity. I wish these acolytes to be watched closely. If there’s another split lip or even a fucking bruise, Lorenz, I want the priest behind it brought forward on charges. And if the Go’Doan send an angry pack of envoys to argue their ways and that they should be allowed to practice them, even in foreign lands, I’ll have an excuse to expel the lot.”

“It’s done,” Lorenz returned.

“Gratitude, my brother.”

Lorenz left.

Mars stared at the door.

Then he picked up his silver pen, dipped the quill into the ink, and struck out a variety of numbers written on the missive, changing their quantities greatly.

10

The Dowry

Lady Silence Mattson

Throne Room, West Corridor, State Wing, Catrame Palace, Fire City

FIRENZE

“This is impossible to believe,” my father hissed.

“Please be quiet, Johan,” my mother whispered.

“I-I-I don’t understand,” my king stammered. “You have the fullness of the dowry you demanded when no dowry should have been demanded for I offer you my very own niece to quell the Beast.”

“I do believe I changed the quantities,” the King of Firenze noted calmly, completely ignoring my uncle’s assertion a dowry shouldn’t have been requested, considering I wouldn’t be there if not for the fact that he and I somehow were meant to save the world.

This dowry situation, by the by, did not best please my father.

No, it did not.

Mostly considering my uncle expected my father to offer the lot of it.

And the lot of it was a lot.

I felt True shift, and he was so close to me, standing in a protective manner at my side and partly to my front (my much beloved cousin), that his arm brushed