Page 44 of A Bond in Blood

“I wish to make a request.”

“No,” he leaned back.

“You haven’t heard my terms, your grace,” I countered.

His laugh was loud, drowning out the music. “Your terms,Ursa? Who said you were in a position to make terms?”

“I’m a princess.”

“And I’m the king. But please, tell me another fact everyone in this room already knows.”

“I want to make a deal,” I replied.

I hadn’t thought the words had come out louder than him being able to hear. I was proven wrong when the music stopped and gasped filled the room.

Ulrich’s body turned my way, his eyes wide.

“What?” he snapped.

“A deal? That’s what you’re known for, is it not?”

The king’s eyes went to his right hand silently gawking at me at the back of the dais.

“Olen.”

Olen stepped forward, tucking his chin down. “I swear, your grace. I did not know.”

The silence in the room was telling and I gazed out to find every eye on me and their king. Not one mouth moved. Not one body fidgeted. Even those that had been lost in their lust, were still fused together, but unmoving.

Ulrich stood, his command chilling the room instantly.

“You’re here because of a deal,” he said, not meeting my gaze.

“I’m here because of a deal a long-deadmanmade on my behalf.”

Olen cleared his throat, and Ulrich turned his attention to his right hand.

“She wants to make a deal.”

Olen nodded. “It would appear so, your grace.”

Ulrich’s laugh turned maddening, blood-chilling. The room darkened with his shadows appearing around him.

“Do you understand what you’ve just started?” he asked, turning to meet my eyes.

“No,” I replied honestly. “But I’ve been told you’re bound by your duty.”

Ulrich dropped to my level, his hand pulling my chin up. “I’m bound byblood, princess.”

“What is it you want?” he taunted.

“I want you to fulfill whatever request I make of you if I concede to your terms for another eleven months.”

Ulrich laughed. “Twelve months, Brenna.”

“Almost eleven months, your grace,” I replied. “You added my additional month. I will no longer fight you on that. I only ask that you allow me to do my best to obey my original servitude. If I do—you allow me one request. Whatever I wish. No protests.”

Ulrich’s eyes flared and I watched the same wisps of black I’d seen before flash in his gaze. He turned his attention to the people silently watching us. Making me wonder if he was considering their thoughts on the matter.

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