Page 33 of Wingless Crow: Part 1

I drew in a breath and forgot to release it, struck by the magnificent picture King Tiane presented.

Splendid.Brebie hadn’t been wrong in her choice of words when describing the Sky King.

His long, blond locks were so light, they appeared silver, spreading like rays of sunrise over his shoulders. He wore pearly-gray pants and a pure-white robe decorated with blue butterfly wings along the hem and neckline. The robe was open in the front, exposing the tan skin of his muscular chest painted with silver star bursts. Clusters of gold and silver stars also adorned his temples and cheekbones.

He turned his head slowly, sweeping the crowd with his gaze—the true monarch surveying his realm.

Regal. Gorgeous. High above the rest. This was the man I had to impress.

Where would I even begin?

Doubt gripped me.

The king’s vivid blue eyes stopped on me, and a bright smile lit up his face.

“Ah, there she is! My grandfather’s gift.”

ChapterNine

SPARROW

Awestruck, I stared at King Tiane like a deer caught in a car’s headlights.

Voron bowed his head. “Your Majesty.”

He tried to move away from me then, but I dug my fingers into his arm, holding on to him for dear life.

How pathetic of me was that? Using the man I should hate as some sort of security blanket?

But I’d known Voron for longer than anyone else in this room. He was at my side right now. The thought of him leaving me all alone, in the spotlight of everyone’s attention, filled me with panic.

He placed a calming hand on mine and remained at my side. I exhaled a breath of relief even as my heart kept racing.

“Oh, isn’t she adorable?” The king continued to study me. “So short and chubby. Like a baby chick. Come up here, my sweet. Let me take a better look at you.”

His smile was bright. He sounded excited.

I glanced at Voron, who stared straight ahead, leaving me to make my own decisions.

“Come on, little human. Don’t make me wait,” King Tiane sounded impatient, clearly displeased by my hesitation.

Who was I to anger the king?

I unclenched my fingers, releasing Voron’s sleeve reluctantly.

“Smile and act sweet.”

I stretched my lips into a smile and took a step toward the royal dais.

People lounged on and around the steps leading up to the throne. The atmosphere was rather casual around the king. I seemed to be the only one intimidated out of my wits.

“Up, up you go.” King Tiane waved at me to ascend the stairs.

The moment I approached him at arm’s length, he grabbed my waist and hauled me to him, placing me between his knees.

“She feels nice, too,” he murmured, stroking the side of my face.

He kept talking about me in the third person, and I looked around to see whom he might be speaking to.

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