Page 62 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I am capable of taking care of myself.”

“No, you’re not. I asked about you. You have no weapons training, no fighting skills. No diplomacy training. Nothing. You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“Well, when you say it like that…” I could feel my cheeks heat. I couldn’t exactly counter with the fact that I’d been taught how to seduce and lie to get what I wanted. I’m sure that’s not what someone wants to hear from their future wife.

I looked at the closed door behind me, then back at him. “You terrified that woman. I was trying to help her.”

He rolled his eyes, then knocked on the door. To my surprise, it opened a crack. The woman squeaked when she saw Bahar.

“My apologies, kind lady. I arrived to accompany my bride-to-be on her tasks to help her people.” He inclined his head as if greeting a royal.

The woman’s cheeks reddened, and I balled my hands into fists as jealousy flared. I shoved it away quickly, hating the stupid way I reacted to him.

She opened the door wider. “We’ll leave as soon as possible.”

“Thank you.” I forced a smile, hating that I was angry at her for the way she was looking at Bahar.

She closed the door, and I returned my attention to the Dragon King. “Why are you here?”

“I came at your request,” he replied.

I started walking to the next home. “I mean why are you in town and not at the palace?”

“I came for you, so I found you,” he said.

I caught sight of several people peering out their windows or doors watching the king. “Fine. But you need to stay out of the way. You’re scaring people.”

“As long as I know you’re not out here alone,” he replied.

I looked over to where Sophia was speaking with a family across the street, checking that she was doing alright before I moved to the next home. We’d already covered most of the city and had enlisted the help of a few priests to cover other neighborhoods. We’d be finishedsoon. My stomach tightened in anticipation of what would happen when we returned to the palace.

I shoved the thought away and walked to the next house, knocking before I could think more on my upcoming wedding.

“I thinkwe got a lot of people to understand,” Sophia said as we walked toward the palace.

The streets were full of people carrying far too much in their arms and on their backs. “I hope so.”

“You did what you could,” Bahar added. “And I anticipate you’ll see more head to your gates when they see the fae ships arrive.”

I slowed down, letting Sophia get ahead of me. Bahar matched my pace. “I’m sorry I asked you to leave your people. What’s happening in Drakous?”

“The Fae King’s men occupy our city, but they won’t hold it if we can eliminate the king,” he said.

“What makes you think he’ll come here himself? He didn’t last time,” I pointed out.

“Pride. He wants to claim the credit and he thinks he’s invincible,” Bahar said.

“Is he?” I asked.

“He could be. We have to hope getting him in the open is enough,” Bahar admitted.

“Did you know about the sorceress?” I asked.

“Not in time to save my sister,” he replied darkly.

I stopped walking, grief washing overme. It was as if I could feel his anguish. “You had to watch it.” I didn’t know how I knew, but I did.

“He’s not going to stop until he destroys anyone who might be a threat to him,” Bahar said.

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