Page 34 of A Reign of Malice
“I thought I was early,” I reply smoothly, staying beside Clara.
“I just sent Dasha to retrieve you.” His gaze rakes over me, a slow, assessing sweep. “They’re coming up the drive now.”
I wait for some kind of appreciation from him that I wore what he picked, but none comes.
Typical.
Instead, he strides toward the front entry, seamlessly stitching a smile onto his face before throwing open the massive double doors. His arms spread wide in welcome, his voice carrying over the courtyard even before the other royals have exited their carriages.
Gods, this is painful to watch.
“King Asher, King Theo,” he announces, completely dismissing their mates. “My friends. I’m so glad you could make it.”
The crisp evening air settles over my skin as I follow, keeping my head up. I wait at the end of the castle stairs, the weight of my crown light on my head, as Aeson greets our guests on his own.
The courtyard itself is sprawling, an expanse of polished stone framed by towering marble pillars. The banners of Venaris hang from the highest points, their deep purple fabric rippling in the wind. At the far end, the grand gates are closing now that the royal procession has arrived in an elegant display of power.
Their arrival is marked by sleek carriages adorned in their kingdom’s respective colors. Isla steps out first, her blue cloak billowing as she lifts her chin, focused eyes scanning the courtyard with the confidence of an alpha queen. Asheris beside her, dressed in grey slacks and a long-sleeve shirt that matches Isla’s cloak.
Next, Theo and Estee emerge, commanding the space around them. She’s dressed in a rich maroon gown, dark curls framing her face, and she moves like the royalty she is, ignoring Aeson as he did to her and Isla in his initial greeting.
I barely contain my smirk as she marches past him.Gods, I’ve missed her.
Before I can say a word, she’s in front of me, pulling me into a tight hug.
I tense for only a second before relaxing into it, wrapping my arms around her in return. “Estee.” My grin widens.
“We have a lot to discuss,” she whispers, holding on longer than I expect. “I’ll be in your room tonight.”
When we part, Isla quickly moves in, and there’s no time to respond. Does Estee know something I don’t? I told her enough, and while I appreciate her urgency, it sets me on edge as I hug Isla next.
The three kings walk toward us, and Theo’s gaze sweeps the courtyard before settling on me as he adjusts his charcoal tie. His lips press together. Asher follows his line of sight, but his expression is less guarded, his irritation at being here clear as day.
I lift my chin, my smile firmly in place while I play my role as queen. “Welcome to Venaris.”
Asher holds my stare for a long moment then inclines his head. “Let’s hope it’s worth the trip.”
There’s no warmth in the words, and I don’t miss the way his fingers twitch at his side, as if he’s resisting the urge to act.
I expected Estee to share what I told her with Isla, but I didn’t consider the reaction of their mates. I hope it isn’tgoing to ruin everything before I have the chance to free Julian.
Aeson moves next to me, sliding his hand around my waist with his usual grace. “Let’s get you all settled before dinner. I hope you’re hungry. We’ve prepared a feast.”
His chuckle falls flat, an awkward silence filling the space for a second too long before I speak up. “I’m sure they’re more tired than anything else, my king,” I purr. “Dinner will be sure to brighten everyone’s moods though. Dinneranddrinks.”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” Theo rumbles. “The seas were rough, but I’m sure an hour to rest will be plenty.”
Aeson eyes me. I’m not sure if I’ve helped or not, but either way…
The game continues.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SLOANE
Clara and Dasha show the other royals to their rooms, and I attempt to sneak back to mine, but I don’t make it two steps before I hear him.
“Sloane.”
