Royal Torment - Viola Grace Page 0,16
finally made sense.
When she was next to her parents, the similarities were visible. Separately, no one would have a clue—genetics in action.
The emperor spoke. “I have been given to understand that you are seeking a princess for your son.”
The king blinked, and he nodded. “Yes. My wife has some restrictions for eligibility, but we are actively seeking a match for him, Your Imperial Majesty.”
The queen’s cheeks got hot, but she made herself add, “We require purity, and I mean no insult, but your daughter does not qualify.”
Ador cleared his throat. “She did qualify. The med scans prove it. The doctor just didn’t know what to look for until it was mentioned that she was part Kiidar.”
Tydella winced, and a quick glance confirmed that her father’s gaze was trying to scorch Ador into ash.
The queen paled. “Ah, I see.”
There was an uncomfortable silence, and then, the king said, “Please, come with us. We are rude to keep you waiting. Do you plan on remaining long?”
“A few things need to be confirmed, but a few days should suffice.”
The queen smiled, and there was a cruel twist to her lips. “Excellent. The princesses are arriving today, and perhaps Your Majesty could choose one of them to produce a legitimate heir.”
“If you speak ill of my consort or my daughter again, you will find yourself stripped of titles and queen of a mining colony. Are we clear?” He held out his hands to his mate and daughter, and Tydella and her mother took his arms and walked with him toward the conveyance provided by the palace.
Tydella muttered, “There isn’t enough room there for all of us.”
Her father paused and whistled sharply.
The shuttle opened, and a ramp lowered. The thundering of hooves made her grin. “You brought them?”
She turned and greeted the small herd of Kai-len. The queen was astonished, Ador was bemused, and the king was smiling.
The charcoal black creatures with white-hot eyes and wings made of strong and flexible skin came barreling toward them. Tydella opened her arms, and when one of the creatures stopped in front of her with its split hooves stamping, she threw her arms around his neck. “Brekker. I am so happy to see you.”
He seemed to feel her stress, and he nudged her with his head. She sighed and inhaled the scent of his hide. Her guards were already on their mounts, her parents were on theirs, and the queen seemed to realize that these creatures could fly. Protocol demanded that she meet them at her gates.
Tydella smiled and held her hand out. “Ador, you can represent your family, yes?”
He nodded and came toward her. He helped her up and climbed up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “What is this?”
“Kai-len. They can carry four warriors and still fly. They are made entirely of muscle and mean. Hold tight.”
The herd galloped down the tarmac, turned, and thundered back down the path with their wings exposed. A few strong flaps of the wings and they were up and clearing the top of the buildings.
Ador’s body was tense, and she respected the tension and didn’t coax Brekker into any strange moves. Her father and mother were riding in front, and the four beasts carrying her guards brought up the rear. Darmon had taken the transport with the king and queen; he did not care for the Kai-len.
“Do you ride these often?” Ador spoke in her ear as they headed for the palace.
“Whenever I am home. Brekker and I have been friends for nearly a decade.” She patted his neck, and he shook his head.
“Does your father always look so angry?”
She laughed. “Stop discussing my virginity, and things will go a lot smoother.”
Ador pressed his forehead to her shoulder. “That was a reflex to my mother’s accusation. I felt it necessary to stipulate it quickly.”
“Yes, but my father and I have a standard father-daughter relationship. No matter how old or how much training I go through, I am still the little monster that broke my arm climbing on the throne.”
Ador sighed. “Wonderful.”
She laughed. “Don’t blame him. I am going to have to go through princess tests for the next few days to prove that I am worthy of you.”
“I will help you when I can.”
She watched the palace they were approaching, and she frowned. “This place is weirdly familiar.”
“Have you been here before?”
“I don’t think so, but then, when I was little, my parents just hauled me around to get me away from the assassins in court. My mom got