Page 29 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
Kieran huffed a laugh. “What was it you were saying about not being a moron? If you allowed me a chance to respond, I would have told you he decided to wait here.”
I flushed. “Shut up.” I studied the king. His unease was obvious despite his relaxed position. A mask, and a poor one at that. His shoulders were too tense. His eyes narrowed when he noticed me, and I bared my teeth in a smile. “King Luther, I didn’t expect tosee you. I know Nimue told you earlier I needed to complete the bond, but I bet you were hoping I’d croak before that happened.” The temperature in the room dropped, but I acted like I didn’t care as I folded my arms and plopped into the chair across from him.
Luther grabbed his chalice on the small table in front of the sofa. “If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. Everyone,out.”
I felt a childish sense of victory when Kieran obeyed. Once everyone went to their rooms, I met the king’s hard gaze. “It’s not very common for a king to visit a commoner.” I could hear Clara screaming at me in my mind, but I shoved it down. It was because of him that I was in this position.
A muscle popped in his jaw. “Some kings consider it a slight. You’ve wasted my time.”
I arched a brow. “I would have met you, but I’m feeling rather weak. SomethingIdon’t have control over since I’ve been refused the chance to bond with my dragon.” Umara’s low growl echoed from the healing hall. I didn’t bother to hide my smile. Maybe it was stupid and a little bit reckless, but if I rolled over like he wanted me to, I’d never gain the upper edge. He wanted me to be his warrior and to let him use me. I’d be damned if that happened without me getting something back, like my sister being returned to me.
“Considering a few weeks ago, you were a traitor to the crown, I believe you can forgive my hesitation.”
Definitely not, but I bit my tongue. “I do.”
He smiled, all satisfied and smug. “I believe we’ve waited long enough. It’s time to bond with yourdragon.”
Oh really,youthink it’s time? More like Umara does.But I kept my expression perfectly blank. “After I bond with Umara, will I still be treated like a prisoner?”
The smile fell from his face.Good.“It was only two days ago, you struck my fiancé, your future queen. If anyone else did so, they would have been executed.”
I leaned forward. “But I’m not anyone. I’m a dragonsguard.”And she totally had it coming.
His hand tightened on his chalice. “The seventh rider is a necessity. Andova is using your presence as an excuse to attack, but they were always going to strike. And the gryphons have become even more of a nuisance. The kingdom needs your cooperation for everyone to thrive.”
I almost laughed in his face. As if ‘protecting my country’would ever convince me. I didn’t give a fuck about the country. “My sister. I want to see her.”
Luther set his chalice down. “Not yet. Once you have completed the bond, I will allow open communication between you two, but you can’t meet. Not yet.”
It’s not forever.I had to fight the urge to bite back.Baby steps.If he thought letters would appease me for long, he had another thing coming.Stop being so impulsive. It’s not just your life at stake.“Thank you.” I had to force the words out.
He nodded and reached into his coat. “You’ll bond with your dragon in an hour. In the meantime, here’s a letter from her. Despite yourtraitorousbehavior, I didn’t burn everything. You got lucky that yourpunishment is ending early.”
My hand trembled as I took it. I made a beeline to my room and slammed the door behind me. The seal was broken, but I didn’t care. It was like everything else stopped existing. Energy returned to my limbs.
Dear Selena,
I’m doing well. They’re teaching me all sorts of things. There’re so many books here. It’s incredible how many they have. I don’t understand how they have so much.
Don’t worry about me, Selena. I like it here. Everyone is really nice and so is Wes. Really, it’s weird how nice everyone is at times. But I like it. I just wish you could be here with me. It’s not complete until you are.
Still… I think… I think Mom would be happy to see me here, all things considered. It’s more than you and I could have dreamed of.
I love you. Stay strong and don’t cause trouble,
Clara
P.S. When we do get to see each other, if you need anything mended, I’m learning how to sew, and I’d love the chance to apply my new skills! (Please don’t expect anything professional though!)
I clutched at the letter. I wanted to believe in it with all my heart. If it was true, it changed everything. Nimue and everyone else had hinted at it. Clara,ifshe was happy, then she’d be better off there, my own happiness be damned.But what if it’s a lie? What if someone’s forcing her to write this?
I had to see for myself.Letters could be faked. But the only way to see her was to get the king to trust me. I stared down at the crooked script. Fuck me. I needed to politic. Once I got to see my sister, that’d determine if I went scorched earth on Luther’s ass.
CHAPTER TEN
“Don’t disappoint me,” Kieran hissed in my ear.
I rolled my eyes “I’mgoing to complete the bond, and it has nothing to do with you.”
