Page 16 of Vows to a King
When he felt her gaze caress his cheek as if it were touch, he found himself smiling.
“If I’m to be the bloody King, I think I’m afforded a few indulgences.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, making a clear statement to her father and the rest. “And if you dare point out that I’m not, then we’ll have to change more things than Jemima tells me need changing over here.”
The silence was instant and deafening, Jemima’s hitch of breath the only sound. Her gaze met his, absolute shock swirling through the amber depths. In answer, he squeezed her fingers harder.
Gratitude flooded those amber depths.
Looking away, Adonis made sure to meet every pair of eyes in the room until they understood that each word he uttered had the power of his might behind it.
One pair, a warm brown, filled with utter joy and full tears. He gave his mother a quick nod, buoyed by the conviction he saw there.
“You’re speaking in riddles and threats, Your Highness,” Aziz Nasar said, with a cutting look Adonis didn’t miss in Jemima’s direction.
Adonis could feel her fear as clearly as if she had been dealt a sudden slap.
“Crown Prince Adamos—”
“Is not here anymore. As much as I respected my brother’s vision and ideas, I’m not him. I will rule Thalassos my way, with Jemima by my side. Is that clear enough for everyone assembled?” A vow Adonis made to himself too—it was the least he could do for the woman who had raised him as his own.
He had no doubt that he would stumble and stutter, but it was better than the alternative—which was this pack of jackals who would bleed Thalassos dry to build their personal fortunes.
A temporary arrangement, Jemima had called his fulfilling of his duty, narrowing on his own doubts perfectly.
But, bored or stifled or challenged, he knew there was no turning back for him.
While he didn’t expect enthusiastic nods and approving pats, he did expect more than the glacial anger he received in return from the council members.
He reined his temper in, for he knew he needed these men to rule well. “The wedding and coronation will go on as planned before. In the meantime, Jemima and I will review the trade treaty documents and see why it stumbled so badly on the last attempt.”
Shock rippled through the room, ending in frenzied whispers.
“Your Majesty,” Aziz said, appealing to his mother. Adonis gritted his teeth against the clear disrespect, even as Jemima squeezed his fingers, as if urging him to practice patience. “The public must be allowed the formal mourning period, to grieve Crown Prince Adamos in the proper way. This…” he gestured toward Adonis and Jemima in a slashing motion, as if it were tacky to even look upon, “will give rise to terrible rumors about the royal family, add fuel to the talk of rift between the brothers, make a mockery of the most sacred institutions that form the basis of the crown.”
An irreverent snort escaped Adonis’s mouth and he instantly regretted it. For he could sense his mother stiffen at Aziz Nasar’s words. His father, the great King Aristos, had committed the sin of mocking their marriage, even though the knowledge wasn’t public.
“It is true,” Adonis said, his mother on one side and Jemima on the other, “that the palace PR team has done a shoddy job of representing the royal family. I’m bringing in my entire team here, along with new assistants for my mother and Jemima. Any messaging about this engagement and the upcoming wedding will be handled by them.”
Aziz instantly changed tack. “Better to paint it that you’re taking pity on my daughter in her hour of loss, Prince Adonis. It would go a long way toward pacifying the Thalassan public instead of provoking them into thinking that you’re stealing their beloved Prince’s bride along with his kingdom.”
“Thalassans love Adonis as much as they loved Adamos, Aziz, if not more. That has been made clear by the welcome he received from them,” his mother said, pure steel to her tone.
Adonis met Jemima’s eyes and saw the simmering anger there. He tightened his fingers over her hip, urging her to speak out. Her fear of the hateful man had his insides burning with fury. He hated bullies of any kind and Aziz Nasar was one.
Jemima’s chest rose and fell on shallow breaths before she said, “Prince Adonis and I are making the best out of a hard situation, Papa. While I loathe the idea of painting it as some fairy-tale romance, I would also hate being portrayed as the recipient of pity or to be seen as a sacrifice he’s making. This is and will be a partnership. Neither should anyone forget that Prince Adonis is giving up his personal life to take up the mantle of the royal family.
“The Prince’s teams will have the final say but I would like to state that we’re starting from a basis of friendship and trust and well-being of Thalassos as the foundation for this marriage.”
She said the whole thing holding his gaze.
The same admiration he felt for her burned there too, giving rise to fresh curiosity.
For all the stuff she’d told him about her relationship with Adamos, did she still hold affection for him? Or was her rejection of his idea because of who Adonis himself was?
“I should think your doubts put to rest, Aziz,” his mother said, satisfaction ringing in her words. “And that you and the rest of the council will extend Prince Adonis every support that you have offered my husband and my older son.”
Deafening silence greeted him.
Adonis knew even the Queen’s command wasn’t enough for them. Christos, what had Adamos been up to, letting these old vultures puff up with their inflated sense of arrogance? Why hadn’t he shown them their place? How dare they challenge the Queen’s direct command?
