Page 27 of Shrine of Fire

Oh, he was good. Not demanding to come along, telling me he was busy and important at the same time. I would have to be careful around him.

Since I didn’t know if we should be saying yes or no to this man, I giggled, and leaned into Stefan. “That’s so kind. Everyone here has been so generous.”

“Good.” Stefan smiled. “You will be Queen someday. They ought to make their new princess feel welcome.”

I ignored the weird feeling of being referred to as a princess. It was custom, since I was engaged to Stefan, but still.

“Let’s talk about the arrangements later?” Stefan looked at Baylin. “We can hash out the details.”

“Make sure it’s not all stuffy businessmen,” I said, and looked at Baylin. “You will do that for me? Stefan is smart, but he’s all about business. I would like some companions on the tour as well.”

Baylin bowed. “Of course, my lady. I will see to it that you shall have several ladies of fine standing to accompany you.”

It would also tell me who Baylin wanted to maneuver around me, either because they would spy for him, or he could control them.

We went back to the dance floor for another hour until the king stood up.

“Thank you all for coming to the Royal Engagement Ball.” The Ember King gestured at a long table, heavy with presents. “Your gifts will be taken into consideration when we embark on the Royal Tour. Please continue to enjoy the ball. I will now retire in private with the Crown Prince and his bride-to-be.”

My stomach flipped over, and I fought to keep the calm smile on my face.

The King stepped down from the throne, still as tall and imposing as when I’d first met him.

All I could think about was his reaction two weeks ago when we’d come to him, begging for aid. We’d told him Yvenna was going to try and break the bond in the Shrine of Everlasting Fire, and he’d laughed in our faces. Then he’d called Zara names and said we schemed to get more ore to make anastasis boxes. We were ordered away, but not before Stefan smuggled some of the ore out of the country so we could mend the Shrine of Cleansing Rains.

And then, Yvenna, controlled by the Faceless One, had indeed attacked the Shrine of Everlasting Fire, breaking the bond and releasing spirit magic into the world.

The result had been cataclysmic for those in the Ember Islands, with tsunamis taller than the islanders had ever seen, and the worst storms on record. The weather had calmed down once Zara had bonded her Shrine, but people were still recovering from the devastation.

But, of course, the Ember King had yet to acknowledge that we were right.

We followed the King to a long hallway. He turned left, and we followed him down another corridor. Finally, a servant opened an ornate door leading into the Ember King’s private study.

It was like an office had a baby with a throne room. There was a desk covered in papers, but the chair was enormous, and sat back against the wall. A bar to the side of the room had crystal decanters of the finest liquors. A small chandelier hung from the room, giving it greater splendor.

There were a range of smaller chairs along the table. The Ember King gestured at them and took his own seat.

He picked up a pile of papers from the side table and handed them to Stefan before we finished sitting down. “This is the list of betas you will bond to the Royal Pack.”

“We’re not going to meet them?” I frowned, arranging my skirt over the hard wooden seat.

The king glared, like a viper primed to strike. “You are the princess. You will do as you are told.”

“We will be using the marriage contract prepared by the Omega Sanctuary,” I reminded him. “However, I am happy to honor any of the royal customs.”

The King glared. “The custom of the royal tour is as ancient as it is important. It allows the other Kings of the world to see the strength and power of the Ember Throne.”

I looked at Stefan. “The Crown Prince has final say, but we will meet with your choices.”

Stefan handed me the papers. There were three dossiers on powerful beta men.

I let out a breath of relief. We wouldn’t have to fight to go to our chosen locations. According to the Ember King’s itinerary, we were supposed to go to Fairuin first, to meet with the son of the chief, and then sail to Tolaga to meet with Duke Antu. The Library of Souls was there, along with the Spirit Oasis. The last choice was Admiral Xilas, a wealthy captain of the Rannoian Empire.

“Our King has chosen powerful men who will add to the glory of the Crown.” I glanced at the other dossiers.

“Glad you agree,” the King said, snidely. “You may send word of your final choices, but Duke Antu and Admiral Xilas are not optional.”

I bit back my retort. I wouldn’t be choosing any of these men, but fate or the universe had intervened, allowing us to pursue our research unimpeded. I wasn’t going to say anything to endanger that.

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