Page 9 of Cursed Crowns

Barron’s eyes gleamed with amusement. Rose had to pinch the back of her hand to stop herself from flinging a teacup at him. “Surely, you are both aware that a pair of witch queens willneverhave the full backing of this kingdom. Not until you can prove that you do not see yourselves as above us. Not until you elevate one of us to sit alongside you.”

Rose frowned. “What precisely is that supposed to mean?”

Barron flashed his too-wide smile. There wasn’t an ounce of warmthin it. “It means you should have given the throne that sits next to you to someone known to your people. Someone they trust.”

“Let me guess,” Wren cut in. “Someone likeyou.”

Barron’s gaze was still on Rose. She hated how it sharpened, how she felt it like a pinprick at the base of her throat. “You do not yet have a husband, Queen Rose.”

There was a stifled curse from somewhere near the pianoforte.

Shock and revulsion coursed through Rose. “You cannot mean you,” she said, aghast. “You’re twice my age!”

“And more pressingly, you are an arrogant, charmless creep,” said Wren with equal disgust. “Why would Rose marry the very man who seeks our destruction?”

“So you do not have to endure said destruction,” said Barron simply.

“That sounds an awful lot like a threat,” warned Shen, who was suddenly beside Rose. “I’d advise you to retract it.Now.”

Captain Davers stepped between the men. “Stand down, Shen Lo,” he said, in a clipped voice. “This is Anadawn Palace, not the lawless beaches of Ortha.”

“Lucky for Barron,” said Wren. “Otherwise, he’d already be fish fodder.”

“Well, this has been a most illuminating afternoon,” said Barron, rising to his feet. “Why don’t I leave my suggestion with you for a week or so?”

“Or,” said Shen through gritted teeth, “why don’t I shove it up your—”

“That’s quite enough!” Rose clapped her hands, restoring some semblance of order, as she leaped to her feet. “Captain Davers will escort you out, Sir Barron. Our soldiers will be checking in on you most regularly from now on. As a loyal subject of this kingdom, I expect youto heed our warning and keep yourself out of trouble.” She raised her chin, meeting his gaze with her own. “You are familiar, I’m sure, with the full might of our army. My sister and I would hate for you to have to experience it firsthand.”

“And in case it isn’t already abundantly clear, we areexplicitlythreatening you,” Wren added.

Barron had the audacity to laugh. “Threats are like arrows, Majesties. Anyone can fire them. But if you put enough thought and power behind one, it can cut a pathway through any great kingdom and pierce the very heart of its throne.”

In the blink of an eye, Shen had a knife to Barron’s throat. “I’m not letting that one slide.”

“Stop it!” said Rose quickly. The last thing they needed was Barron’s blood on their hands. They would have to play nice—or at leastappearto—to get what they wanted. “Sir Barron is a smart man. I’m sure he’s quite understood our meaning.”

Slowly, and with great reluctance, Shen released Barron.

Barron dipped his chin before promptly turning on his heel and stalking from the room. Captain Davers and his soldiers escorted him out, pulling the door shut behind them.

“Good,” said Wren. “You scared him off.”

Shen was still glaring at the door. “I should have cut his tongue out.”

“For those pathetic threats?” said Rose as she wiped her sweating palms on her gown. “They don’t scare me.”

Shen turned back to her. “No. For trying to marry you.”

“Oh.” Rose’s cheeks erupted. “Truly, what a laughable suggestion. Why are the most odious men always the most ambitious?”

“Well, it’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard,” said Chapman, whoRose had almost completely forgotten about.

She bristled now at his suggestion. “You can’t be serious.”

Shen went very still. Rose could almost feel the anger rolling off him.

Wren turned on Chapman. “I’ve ruined one of Rose’s weddings this year, Chapman. Don’t think I won’t ruin another.”

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