Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,99
me feel powerful, which is an odd sensation for me, so contradictory to how I felt last time I was here. Although I don’t want to take my eyes off the king, I’m so desperate to look around and try to see my friends. Is Jacob here? What about Wilson? Jayne and Aileen? Flicking my eyes to the side, I see only three of the five thrones are filled. My mother’s, the queen’s, is still empty, and on the king’s other side sits Rhydian and Michael. The last throne is noticeably empty.
A warning, prickling feeling runs over my skin, and my attention instantly snaps to Rhydian. I don’t know what drew me to look at him, he appears perfectly normal from a distance. The impeccable, handsome prince. However, with every step we take that brings us closer to him, the farther I want to run away. There is something inherently wrong with him, and it just seems to radiate from him, not that anyone else notices. His black eyes seem to mock me. He knows the effect he’s having on me. Resisting the shudder that’s trying to force its way from my body, I return my attention to the king.
His eyes are on my crown and my hair. Anger burns in his gaze, and I feel a sick sense of satisfaction. Movement just behind his throne catches my eye, and I see High Priest Rodrick glaring at me with a hatred that almost causes me to pause. I’ve never known what I’ve done to cause him to dislike me so much, but now I guess I’ve become everything he loathes.
With only the sound of our feet on the stone floor and the murmured whispers of the watching lords and ladies, we finally reach the dais of the thrones. I look up at the king, my aunt and mates half a step behind me. I’m supposed to curtsy or at least bow my head in a show of respect, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I’ve spent too many years on the floor before this man.
“Your Majesty,” I greet, keeping my head high as he leers down at us with gleaming eyes. “It appears we were given the wrong time and missed the beginning of your…” Pausing, I look around the silent room, arching a single eyebrow before returning my attention to the king. “Celebration,” I finish. He simply smiles, opening his arms wide as if to welcome us.
“You’re here now.”
Enough of this. Striding up the three steps of the stone dais that separate us, I approach the thrones. The guards jump to stop me, but the king waves them away, not that they would have been able to prevent me. A snarl behind me does cause me to hesitate though, and I see the guards have stepped between my mates and me. My eyes meet Vaeril’s, and I feel him through our bond, waiting for my command. They could easily push past the human guards, but we are trying to remain peaceful. For now. Taking a deep breath, I shake my head. Now is not the time to start a fight. Vaeril pulls back from the guards roughly, tugging a snarling Eldrin back with him. My eyes flick over to Grayson, worried he could slip into euisa, the killing trance mages can go into when they feel their mates are threatened, but he seems to be in control.
Turning back to the king, I suppress my own snarl at his amused expression. “Where’s Jacob? Why am I here?” I demand, already tired of the games when I know we’ve only just begun.
“There will be time for that later.” Waving off my concern with a flick of his hand, he leans back in his throne, crossing one leg over the other like he has all the time in the world. Like he’s not scared of me at all. “You and your companions must be hungry.” I’m sure he’s making a dig at the fact I used to be starving, and from Rhydian’s laugh, I know I’m right. The king frowns slightly at his son’s outburst, glancing briefly at him before returning his full attention to me. He might have tried to hide it, but I didn’t miss the look that flickered across his face when he glanced at Rhydian. It was fear. Why would the king fear his son’s reaction?
Maybe I misunderstood and it wasn’t fear. After all, the expression was gone in a flash… No, I know what fear