Page 47 of The Rook

He chuckled and shook his head like she was the most amusing creature in the world. What a crock.

“This is exactly what I missed,” he said. “How have you been these past few weeks, my Lady Hound? The rebels haven’t been giving you too much trouble, I hope?”

“It was nothing I could not handle,” she said, repeating the same line she’d fed to Maxim and Dima. “If you wish me to debrief you on the matter now, I’m happy to oblige.”

“Oh, no, no, no,” the king said quickly, laughing again. “That’s what I love about you. Always right to the point, and yet, such business can wait.”

That was new. She frowned, her nerves ratcheting up a notch. “Then why, may I ask, am I here?” If he didn’t want to know about the rebels, then that meant it was personal. She was very thankful she’d worn her trousers and not a dress.

The king approached her, his steps prowling. He reached for her hands and took them in his own.

Oh, bloody hell, this wasn’t good.

His thumb ran over the top of her right hand. “All I have been able to think about is our encounter before you left.” He licked his lips, and her stomach dropped. “So, I have a question for you, Tempest. An offer, if you will.”

“Whatever do you mean, Your Majesty?” Tempest asked, feeling lightheaded.

Destin leaned in closer until his lips were but an inch from hers, his golden gaze smoldering. “Marry me.”

Oh, no.

TWENTY

Tempest

Tempest blinked repeatedly, mouth gaping as she stared wordlessly at the king. He raised an eyebrow at her. She couldn’t have heard him right.

“Something the matter, my lady?” he asked.

Sweet poison, he was serious. She pushed through her shock. The weeks she’d spent surrounded by liars and thieves weren’t for nothing. Tempest curtseyed, the movement awkward as she was wearing trousers. “I am honored, sire, truly. But I… am wary about accepting such an offer, wonderful though it may be.”

“Oh?” Destin drawled.

Oh stars, how was she supposed to turn him down without him ripping everything dear from her? Scorned kings were not known for their mercy. “See, I am afraid that I will be criticized as a Hound for being romantically involved with the king,” she began. “You must see how it looks, Your Majesty. The firstfemale Hound, with only a few months of missions under her belt and already on the war council, now engaged to the king? It may be… unsavory for your reputation, and I would never want to bring reproach to the Crown.” She bowed her head lower, staring at the decorative rug beneath her boots.

“There’s no need for that, my dear.”

She squeezed her eyes shut and arranged what she considered a proper smile onto her face.Please, please, let him not see right through me.Tempest opened her eyes and straightened. “I’ve striven to be completely honest with you.”A bold-faced lie.“I would be a liar if I didn’t tell you that it would also damage my credit as one of your faithful Hounds. I live my life to serve you, my liege.”

The king's face softened, and he nodded in apparent understanding. “Of course,” he said. “I was so excited to ask for your hand in marriage that I had not considered how this might affect you.” He reached out and brushed a finger along the apple of her cheek. “I must admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve taken into account the wishes of someone other than my councilors.”

I bet.

He dropped his hand and ran it along her arm. Goosebumps rose in the wake of his touch. A small smile lifted his lips. “As the king, I’m awarded certain privileges. Women are usually one of them.”

She almost scowled but managed to hold her mask in place. Women weren’t possessions to be given and collected.

Destin stepped closer and fingered the loose strand of hair near her temple. “I don’t tell you this to make you jealous or angry. I want honesty between us. I’m not a young man who flits from woman to woman, not knowing their worth.” He smiled, and chills ran down her spine. His expression waspredatory. “I know what I have within my grasp, and I won’t let you go easily, dearest.”

Terror choked her as she tried to get a decent breath. He was above all scrutiny, and he knew it. The king could do whatever he wanted without reprimand.

“You look pale,” he murmured.

“I have pale skin,” she whispered. Wicked hell, dots flashed across her sight. She couldn’t faint here.Breathe.

Destin chuckled and ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “I’m sorry to have put you in such a position,” he continued and then took both of her hands in his own. “Take your time considering my proposal. Take all the time you need… though I hope that won’t be too long. But you’re worth waiting for, so I will happily deal with my own impatience if that makes you feel better about the engagement.”

Tempest nodded, her head stuffy. “You are too gracious, Your Majesty,” she said, the words tasting like ash on her tongue. “Thank you for taking my concerns into consideration.” She paused, then gently extricated her hands from Destin’s. “I do not wish to be ungrateful, my lord, but it has been a long journey.”

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