Page 125 of The Horde King of Shadow

“I’m happy, Dannik,” I told him, my words laced with unspoken meaning as I looked deep into his golden eyes. I pressed my hand to Sarkin’s side. “My husband, Sarkin.”

“I remember,” Dannik said, eyeing the Karag male next to me, the edge of a glare in his eye.

Sarkin held my brother’s gaze. I nearly sighed at the posturing between the two males. “There is a lot we have to discuss.”

“Lysi, there is,” Dannik agreed.

My gaze went beyond my brother, who’d been the only one of the Dakkari to approach us, stepping past the safety of the guards to come to me. I looked at my father, my stepmother. Alanis was here but not Lakkis, and she was looking at my Elthika behind me, brow furrowed. She’d probably never been so close to one.

My father was ever watchful. When I met his eyes, it pained me that there was little emotion there. No relief, no happiness. Just an empty stare as if I were a stranger. It hadn’t always been that way, but ever since my mother’s death in the North Lands, he’d grown more and more detached.

I wondered if it hurt him to look at me, considering I looked so much like her. He had loved her, deeply, once.

I took my brother’s hand, knowing that he was the future of Dakkar. He could turn my father’s head if needed. Not even Alanis could do that. And that boded well for all of us. Dannik was reasonable. I could make him understand what was at stake and how our negotiations could only help the Dakkari people.

I sensed theKarathof Grym close by. Observing closely. Listening. I saw my brother glance his way before his eyes went to his red Elthika behind him.

“Shall we?” Dannik asked, gesturing toward the East Gate.

“With conditions,” Sarkin said, keeping me in his hold. “My riders will make camp out here while we are in negotiations. No one goes near our Elthika. And if we see archers or guards approach, we will useethrallto defend ourselves.”

Dannik’s lips pressed together. “I am not foolish enough to endanger the citizens of Dothik.”

“I am only ensuring the safety of my own people and our Elthika. I’m sure you understand,” Sarkin answered, ever patient. “And when it comes to my wife, I want a guard with her constantly while within the city.”

“You think one of our own would try to hurt her? She’s a princess of Dothik and mysister. I would kill any who try to hurt her.”

“Then we have that in common,” Sarkin replied.

I sighed. “I can watch out for myself in Dothik.”

Sarkin looked at me. “No. Guard with you at all times. I will not risk your safety. It’s not negotiable, Klara.”

I met his eyes. He was serious and wouldn’t relent. I saw that clearly, and it was not something I would argue with him about.

“Very well,” I said, squeezing his wrist.

Dannik was watching the exchange closely. Whatever he saw, he seemed…relieved?

“You’ll stay at the palace?” he asked Sarkin. “We have rooms prepared.”

“I stay with my wife,” Sarkin answered. He gestured his hand toward the two Elysom council members and at Alaryk and his commander. “They can decide where they wish to sleep.”

Dannik inclined his head. “Then let’s get started. We have much to discuss.”

“That we can agree on, Dakkari,” Sarkin said.

It was going to be a long couple of days.

Chapter 43

KLARA

“This is the last remaining heartstone?” Sarkin asked me, his voice hushed as he inspected what was nestled into the ancient sword.

We were below my father’s palace, in the room I knew like it was a part of me.

It was the day after our arrival. Though we were tired from endless discussions, tired fromwaitingfor my father to meet with his council to go over our terms, I’d still wanted to bring Sarkin down here. We were waiting for their decision, after they’d heard what we’d had to say about thethalaratree. Dannik was in with them, as were the council members from Elysom. Alaryk was, apparently, wandering around and observing Dothik up close, making quite a stir wherever he went, or so Sarkin had told me.

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