his spine snap tight.
“That display,” his father continued, flinging an arm to the back of the tent, indicating the field beyond, “was obscene.”
It was far from obscene.
It was the most remarkable display of horsemanship and military drilling Cassius had ever witnessed.
“I quite liked the starbursts in the sky,” Otho muttered.
“And the firm asses in the saddles,” Mac added.
Gallienus ignored them. “This whole thing is beyond preposterous. It cannot be borne. And thus, we’re leaving. Tomorrow. At sunrise. You will not wed that flagrant tart. I’ve seen better costumes on whores paid to play a role in order to stiffen a cock. It’s coming quite clear as each night fades with no further quakes, this was all but a ruse for Ophelia to plant another Nadirii witch on Airenzian soil to cause strife and mayhem amongst my subjects. And further, by maneuvering these ludicrous alliances through marriage, she thinks to control all realms with the threat of the Beast rising and the use of wet cunt. A savvy ploy, but one destined to fail as it will fail tomorrow morning when we leave.”
Cassius turned from his father when he heard Ha-Lah’s voice saying, “Even a Nadirii could not cause those tremors.”
Cass looked to the lovely Mar-el queen then up to Aramus, who was standing close to her back.
Aramus, as had been made clear these past days, was not at his most jovial in the presence of Cassius’s father.
Though, not many were.
“She could if she had thousands of other witches with her which,” Gallienus jerked his head to the back of the tent, “obviously, she does.”
“To produce that magic, a quake felt in all realms, all the way to the shores of Mar-el, they’d need every witch in Triton, and after such a spell was cast, they’d be drained. They couldn’t produce another for months, if not years,” Ha-Lah calmly replied. “Certainly not every fortnight.”
“You are witch so of course you’d defend them,” Gallienus spat.
“You are old and pompous and not my king. In other words, be careful how you speak to my wife, Airenzian king,” Aramus growled.
“You can’t possibly be believing this rubbish,” Gallienus returned to Aramus.
“I think the vastly more important subject we should be discussing is how Cassius’s betrothed could clearly kick his arse all the way back to Sky Bay, if she had the notion,” Mac jibed, most likely in an attempt to take the growing heat out of the discussion.
“I think it’s more interesting that he never has to concern himself with clipping his own nails. Just ask his bride, she can shear them off from thirty feet with the point of her arrow,” Otho ribbed.
“And I think it’s very interesting…”
At the sound of the stately, feminine voice, Cassius’s attention shot through what had been the wall of Otho’s and Antonius’s chests, both now turned toward the voice, as did all the men, and there he saw Ophelia, flanked by her daughters.
Ophelia seemed annoyed but collected.
Serena was clearly incensed and equally clearly having some difficulty keeping control. Of her mouth or a physical attack (or both), he did not know. Except in the presence of her mother, she was managing to succeed in this task. Barely.
But Elena…
Elena was looking at Cass’s chest and she appeared…
Fuck.
Wounded.
They’d heard.
They’d heard quite a bit.
And none of it was about the most remarkable display of horsemanship and military drilling they’d ever witnessed, Elena playing an individual and extraordinary part in that.
“…that the Sisterhood trains since ten as horsewomen and archers and warriors, at the same time learning to harness their craft in ways great and wondrous that can be used at their command. We demonstrated that this eve. It was witnessed by all. And yet you speak of wet cunts and using our skills to trim nails,” Ophelia finished.
Indeed, they’d heard quite a lot.
Fuck.
Gallienus pushed closer to the Nadirii queen.
For a variety of reasons, none of them familial, Cassius moved with him just as his brothers closed ranks.
“My son is not marrying your daughter,” Gallienus declared.
“This will bring great relief as no Nadirii’s wet cunt wishes to be tainted by Airenzian limp cock,” Serena spat.
His father puffed up.
“Silence, daughter,” Ophelia commanded quietly. But to Gallienus, she stated clearly, “It is your choice, and your son’s.” She tipped her head to Cassius. “But when the Beast rises, it will also be on your head.”
“Where are the tremors, Ophelia?” he father demanded to know.
“I can’t know, Gallienus,” Ophelia replied instantly. “Though after the last, every nation moved to fulfill a prophecy that might serve