Page 37 of A Reign of Malice
I grab Clara’s shoulder and shove her toward the stairs. “You’ll spend the rest of the evening in your room, missingthe royal dinner tonight. I won’t risk this embarrassment continuing in front of our guests. Tomorrow, Aeson and I will inform both of you how you’re to proceed moving forward.”
Clara stiffens. I can practically feel the rage vibrating off her, but I shake my head slightly, wordlessly telling her to let it go.
Now isn’t the time to push. Now’s the time to retreat.
Aeson eyes me, but he doesn’t counter what I’ve already commanded. He sends Dasha toward her quarters, and before I can consider what I’ve done, I’m alone with him again.
He runs a hand through his hair, jaw still tense. “My queen, I need a moment before dinner to compose myself. But after dinner…” He wraps his fingers firmly around my neck, but not tight enough to cut off my air as he whispers into my ear, “That’s forus.”
I can’t hold back my shudder, but he at least interprets the loathing as desire.
“I’ll see you shortly in your room so I can escort you to the dining hall.” With that, he turns on his heel, heading for the corridor.
The moment he’s gone, I grab the railing of the stairs and let out a long breath as I reach out to Clara.“I’m so sorry.”
“I know,”she replies quickly.“This is only getting harder, Sloane. I’m not sure how much longer we can keep this up.”
She’s not the only one thinking that.
“Was that argument with Dasha real? How did that even happen?”Aeson’s advisor hasn’t shown an ounce of strength since we arrived. I need to know what that was all about.
Clara’s voice lowers, frustration and concern coming through loud and clear as she replies.“She wasn’t arguing withme, Sloane. She was warning me—no, pleading with me not to go where I don’t belong. That there would be consequences.”
I narrow my eyes as I continue toward my room.“From her?”
“She kept looking at the door to the room you were trapped in,”she says.“Whatever Aeson has done, it has her terrified.”
Silence settles between us, and my wolf stirs.
The mention of consequences makes me think of Julian. Of his chains, the runes, centuries of torment, and the prospect of his death in the near future if I don’t figure this out.
My throat tightens.
Does Dasha know that Julian’s down there?
There’s a rumble in my chest as I make my way upstairs.“We need to find out what she knows.”
“I’ll work on it,”Clara promises.“You just find a way to stay away from that creep while I’m grounded.”
That’s something I’m not sure I can do, but I’m sure as hell going to try.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SLOANE
I’ve barely had time to calm my wolf before Aeson is at my door. He doesn’t knock. He barely cracks it open before saying, “Let’s go.”
Great. His mood hasn’t improved, and neither has mine. This is going to be an interesting dinner.
I take my time adjusting the skirt of my gown, smoothing the fabric with steady hands. A flicker of irritation stirs in Aeson’s gaze as I shift to double-check that my crown’s aligned properly on my head. If he’s in a rush, I don’t care. I’m still the queen-to-be of this kingdom—at least in his eyes—and I’ll walk at my own damn pace.
Finally, I turn, gliding toward him.
Aeson extends his hand. A silent demand.
I stare at it. Then at him. I should take it. That’s what’s expected of me. But seeing as he’s not offering me any niceties, I don’t either.
I sweep past him, my steps controlled, shoulders squared, as I continue without looking back. If he wants to hold hands like the doting mate he pretends to be, he’ll have to show me some respect.
