A Savage Debt (The Beholden Duet #1) - Zoey Ellis Page 0,11
“This hurts me the most, not Father,” she mumbled.
“It hurts your father in multiple ways, Ana,” the queen said. “The idea that his daughter would be subjected to the unwanted attentions of such a man is torturous for any father, but particularly that it’s because he owes this man his life makes it especially distressing. It also hurts his reign and ability to remain king. You are the king’s only child. Maddoc is trying to damage and end his reign by tainting you. If you are no longer a viable option to be his heir, your father will be succeeded by extended family. But in the history of the crown, the royal houses have never allowed a childless king to remain on the throne.”
From what she remembered of her studies, that was true. A childless king had always been replaced with a royal from another house. “So I will be tainted by this?”
Her mother inclined her head. “Not necessarily. As I said, princes and princesses have taken lovers privately in the past, and many have lost their virginity to those lovers before their arranged marriage. Unfortunately this is not private and the man is a bastard outlaw, the lowest possible creature that exists in our society. But it’s also not of your own doing, and you are still an Omega. So it’s a matter of perception. Some of the houses will certainly argue it, regardless, because the potential for personal gain. But there are different ways to cast light on the same issue.”
“And how do we do that?”
“”Let me and your father worry about that, Ana,” the queen said. “You just need to do everything we say, and tell us everything that happens.” Her gaze drifting to the window, her expression mournful. “The one thing that has been established is that the outlaw is owed the promise. If there had been any way to deny him that, then none of this would matter. But that is the one definitive thing.”
The queen drew her into her arms, squeezing her close. “Don’t worry about it right now, Ana. There are still a few hours until dusk. Get some sleep and let us think about it. If any solution comes to us, we will stop it from happening, but even if we can’t, we will protect you the best we can.”
Ana awoke to a knock on the door.
She lay still, waiting for the person to go away—she’d already told her mother that she didn’t want any visitors—but when the knock repeated, she padded to the door and cracked it open.
Duke Ryden from Redcrest stood outside. He inclined his head. “I apologize for the interruption, Princess Ana, but I could not let dusk arrive without speaking to you.”
Ana tried to glance behind him for her guards, but it wasn’t as though he was a small man. Large and wide with thick, curly black hair, bold, refined features, and the most beautiful blue eyes, Ana had always felt Ryden embodied everything an Alpha should be. “How did you—”
“Your mother permitted me to visit.”
Ana nodded and let him in, discretely fixing her clothing and hair. Ryden was an established hunter and swordsman, and had well established himself in his dealings with the court, the king, and the commoners. He ensured that he made efforts to inflict change and was bold in making his presence known in political and royal matters. It was clear he was going to be a powerful political force in his own house, and it didn’t hurt that he was also extremely good-looking. Even if they weren’t fated mates, he was a smart choice as Ana’s betrothed. However, today, he swept into her room with an agitation she hadn’t seen in him before.
“Today’s court hearing was a fucking disgrace,” he growled. “They didn’t kill that animal when they had the chance, and now they are trading away your virginity! None will fight for it.”
Ana tried not to be affected by his words. “From my understanding, anything we do to prevent it will aid the destruction of the royal crown.”
“If he takes you,” Ryden said, his voice tight and his eyes blazing, “that will be the destruction of the royal crown. It will be the destruction of us all.”
“What do you suggest?” Ana asked, annoyance creeping into her tone. Everyone kept saying this, but they were still willing to let it happen. It wasn’t as though she asked for this. “How do you hope to prevent it?”
Ryden stepped toward her and took her hands