Page 154 of Enchanted Kingdom
The king entered the room, striding in like he owned the place. Which, he kind of did.
Renna’s breath caught when she realized he was heading directly for us. No pausing. No schmoozing with the loyals, he was on a mission. For us. The room divided, people making a path for the king as he continued making his way across the room.
As soon as he neared, Renna and I bowed together as if we had rehearsed it.
“Your Majesty,” I provided.
“Jorah,” the king greeted. “Renna.”
“Your Grace,” she smiled nicely.
“Jorah, may I have a quick word?”
No, but let’s get it over with.“Of course, Your Grace.”
“You look quite regal tonight,” he complimented.
“Thank you,” I managed to bite out as we walked away from Renna.
He offered me an elbow which I took as he led me out toward the balcony Keir had always taken me to. “I offer an apology.”
For which offense?I feigned confusion. “Your Grace?”
“For what happened in the forest,” he explained as he took a look at the stars from the balcony.
I stole a glance over my shoulder and turned just slightly so I could see Owen. He was now at the balcony door watching, and Keir, who was speaking with Nara, had positioned himself so he also could keep an eye on us as well. I let out a sigh. “It seems I am not safe here, Your Grace.”
His eyes caught on my collar bone. “May I?”
Like I could tell him no.
He lifted my hair to find a scratch I hadn’t bothered to use the ointment on. It wasn’t that bad, and my hair mostly covered it.
The king’s jaw clenched as he tapped my skin next to it once. “I apologize, dearie.” He shook his head. “You are property of the crown. The fact that they thought they could lay a hand on you proves their own stupidity.”
I wasn’t property of his at all, but I didn’t think now was the time to point that out.
“The man who thought it his right to touch you and interfere with the Assemblages is left with only one hand,” the king provided. “As a reminder to all of us of what happens when someone defies the crown.”
My eyebrows reached for my hairline. “His hand became infected from the bite?”
The king’s smile made my stomach drop. “No. That was the hand I left him with.”
Oh.
“It won’t happen again,” he added. “No one touches a hair on your head unless they have my blood.” He leaned in, and though I never took my eyes from the king’s, I saw Owen’s magic burning beneath his skin in the background. “Now, hurry up and forgive my son. It is his duty to date you all. You cannot hold that over his head. And should you actually win his affections at the end of this, should he not have you out of his system by then, wellthenyou may play the part of the jealous lover, but not now. Now is not that time.”
I wasn’t breathing. Nor was I sure I could form words.How dare he.
“Have a good evening, Jorah from Nerede,” the king said as he kissed my hand goodbye and left me standing there stewing.
Owen gave me a few minutes before approaching. “Tell me I heard that incorrectly.”
I shook my head. “Nope.” I looked up at the stars. The king had challenged me. And dammit if I didn’t want to walk in there and flirt with Keir, kiss him in front of them all, and prove to him how real our connection was. Snag a crown just to spite him.
But I didn’t know if I even wanted that.
“Shall we go find Keir then?” I smiled at Owen.
