Page 34 of The Coveted
“I’ve tasked Daelon as your handler for some tasks around the castle. You will use your gift for me alone, and since I will have no way of knowing whether what you say is the truth, I’ve made the Commander the middleman. He told me he has no adverse effects seeing into your mind, as long as you allow him in. Which you will, if you do indeed value your life. He said it was quite a bonding experience for the two of you the first times.”
Now it was his turn to watch my face, but I refused to offer him any satisfaction. “Great. Sounds like a blast,” I said.
“I do not understand your brand of humor. It annoys me.”
I blinked at him. “Sorry?”
“Well, I’m sure you can still catch Sebastian before he heads to dinner. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, after all.”
I wrinkled my nose. It was always just a matter of time before our conversations turned nauseating.
All I wanted to do was run to my room and recharge. Every time I spoke to Lucius, I had the overwhelming urge to shower right after. None of that was in the cards tonight, as I felt all eyes on me in the dining hall. The layout of the long tables seemed to be organized by favoritism, power, or both, as I sat with Sebastian and the ladies I met today at the far end of the King’s table. On either side of Lucius, who was the only one seated at the head, sat Daelon and Nathaniel. In between our end and his sat two other lords I’d met at the party in the throne room, as well as others I didn’t know. Only a few seemed to be coupled up. I was surprised to find that Christine was stuck at the end with us, on the other side of Sebastian. Taryn sat across from me, shooting me questioning glances as if she was dying to hear about my day.
The smell of food wafted in from the kitchens, concealed behind tall wooden doors in the back of the room. Sparkling golden chandeliers hung above the tables, which were set with gold-accented fine china and crystal glasses, already filled with elixir and water. The walls showed a serene landscape of rolling hills and gently flowing creeks, with men and women dressed in flowing fabrics running about and laughing. They stilled once they became a part of the periphery.
I was afraid to glance in Daelon’s direction. Especially as Sebastian continued his blatant flirtations.
“Don’t be nervous, Áine,” Sebastian consoled. “The King just likes a good show of admiration. You didn’t know any better, but he can’t play favorites, you see.” He was no doubt picking up on my lack of enthusiasm for the night’s events.
His insinuation that I might’ve been a favorite almost made me spit out my water and laugh. “I’m not nervous. I just don’t like being in the spotlight.” Especially for public humiliation as I bowed to my sworn enemy, the man who killed my mothers and burned my village to the ground.
I nearly flinched when he reached for my hand on the edge of the table and gave it a squeeze. “You’re so modest for someone who’s clearly gifted,” he mused.
Modesty did seem hard to come by in these halls. Before I could respond, a single clap from Lucius brought the crowd of at least a hundred elite to silence.
“Before we begin, I would like to welcome our new visitor to receive a blessing from the King. She committed a minor transgression, and since I am a fair and just king, all will be forgiven once she bows down to me. This act of submission represents her welcome into our beautiful Kingdom and her recognition of my divine power.”
I stole a glance toward Daelon.Yeah, that’s gonna be a nope from me, pal.
I know you’re joking,Daelon said in my mind, entering the channel I opened.Or at least I hope you are. Please do as you’re told. It hurts me just as badly as it does you.
Somehow, I doubt that.
I let out a small sigh, burdened by the weight of a hundred pairs of eyes on me. Some smiled, and others sort of glared, almost as if they were jealous. Of what, I wasn’t quite sure. I rose from my seat, and I hoped dearly that the makeup Taryn had applied could conceal the redness of my embarrassment.
This really, truly, fucking sucked.
Lucius rose and moved to stand at the front of the room, in full view of every table. His eyes were glowing with anticipation, reveling in every moment. It made me want to turn violent, consequences be damned. As I began my slow walk toward Lucius, my power rose and crested, agreeing with my desire to break every window in the room, to flip the tables and send everyone flying in all directions, to pounce on Lucius and conjure another dagger to pierce through his cold, dead heart.
I heard Daelon clear his throat, the sound as if from far away, which snapped me out of the dangerous fantasy. As I reached the King, I unclenched my fists and forced a tight smile that only he could see. I felt every gaze bore into my back.
“Kneel, child, to accept my forgiveness,” he said, smiling right back. He cocked his head slightly.
Child? You’re not even a decade older than me, but okay, asshole,I thought to myself.
I forced my knees to the ground and bowed my head, keeping my eyes on his shoes. Yeah, this was the worst. I flinched when I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, but I quickly stilled and recovered. “Forgive me, my King,” I said quietly, refusing to look up at him.
“You are forgiven. For I am a benevolent and reasonable ruler. You will learn our customs soon enough, our lost little orphan,” he said, false pity oozing from his tone. “You may rise. And dinner shall commence.”
Soft clapping rose and then fell as I straightened and returned to my seat. My legs were like lead, and my skin flushed with anger. A plate full of fancy-looking and artfully arranged vegetables, potatoes, bread, and some kind of meat delicacy was served, but I had lost my appetite.
You look a lot prettier when you’re on your knees,Lucius spoke telepathically, which did nothing for my churning stomach.
Gross,I fired back, and he laughed in my mind.
You will continue to submit until you have been freed by your King like the rest of his subjects. The power and pleasure that awaits you when you do is like nothing you could ever feel from your weak, heretic magick.
I would rather be weak than cruel.I wanted to say about fifty other things that would no doubt lead to a swift death, but I held them back. I would save them until a knife was at his throat once more. I couldn’t wait for that day to come.
