Page 108 of Degradation

“Would you like to meet my husband-to-be?”

Father and I both agreed. She wrapped her arms around both of ours and started towing us down the hall.

Edmund cleared his throat at the same time as Daemon and Liam.

We paused as I glanced back at them then flashed Eloise the crooked smile I only showed her when I was up to something truly mischievous.

“It’s best I introduce you to mine first,” I said. “They claim to have patience, but I’ve yet to see it. Eloise, I would like you to meet Brandle, Edmund, Eadric, Daemon, Darian, Garron, and Liam—the kings of Turre.”

My twin released me as her gaze swept over them all.

“Mine?” she echoed. “All of them?”

“All of them,” I confirmed.

Shock rolled through her, accompanied by her curiosity about whether Mr. Bentwell’s books had influenced me. Sorrow followed.

“He died?” I asked.

She faced me and nodded.

“Maeve killed him when she searched for you. I got your clue. When I said you should leave, I didn’t mean the Dark Forest, silly.” She wrapped her arm around mine and hugged it. “Are you really marrying all seven of them?”

“She is,” Brandle said.

I could feel their collective desire and determination at Brandle’s words.

She glanced at my father.

He looked down, cleared his throat, and met my sister’s gaze. “They are fine men, not due to their rather lofty titles but because of everything they’ve done to keep your sister safe. Also, have I ever refused either of you anything?”

A surge of hurt washed over Eloise, and I knew she’d recalled the time he had refused her—when she had asked him not to leave. However, we both knew it hadn’t been his choice to leave. We’d suffered the effects of Maeve’s curses firsthand.

I took her arm this time. “Do you still want to introduce me to your husband?”

“Of course.”

She led us to the throne room, boldly walking through the doors and down the center aisle, straight toward the throne as if the throngs of noblemen and noblewomen standing on the outskirts of the room didn’t matter.

The guard who’d left to announce us stood off to the side of the throne.

“That is the one, Your Majesty,” the guard said.

“Princess Eloise,” the King said in the hush, “I wasn’t aware you were attending today’s session. And with guests.”

The man sitting to his right hadn’t taken his eyes off of Eloise since she appeared. I could feel his love for her and also his concern. The guard had just claimed a powerful caster forced her way into the palace.

“Your Majesty,” she said with a curtsey, “Greydon, I would like to present to you my sister, Kellen Cartwright, and my father, Atwell Cartwright.”

I nodded in greeting to the King of Drisdall and felt shock ripple through the crowd.

“Your Majesty,” my father said with a formal, low bow.

The king motioned for Father to rise, his gaze not leaving me. I could feel his speculation and hesitation, but anything more than that was difficult to guess. He was either adept at keeping his thoughts hidden or didn’t know what to think of me.

“Are you a caster, child?” he asked bluntly.

I smiled slightly. “Allow me to introduce myself more thoroughly. I am Kellen Cartwright, betrothed to the Kings of Turre, who have come with welcome news.”

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