Page 104 of Shifter King
Gabrice's jaw worked. He then spat at WroOth. "You stink, whore."
WroOth snapped the fan open, then feigned embarrassment. "Is it so obvious? I've tried so hard to hide the encinea, but it is impossible."
"Shhh." Zorna sighed. "I tried to help you hide the shame with the perfume, but it is not your fault. It happens." Her mouth grew tight as she glared at her son. "You do not have to be so rude. That one is better than the one you threw your leg over."
"And if I tried to marry her, you'd have your pet mindreader end her too, wouldn't you?" Gabrice snarled.
"You are the first prince of the Reskals, and you have responsibilities. Your firstborn will carry the Blessing of the Unkar! You do not squander that on a slave." She dug her fingernails into the arms of her throne. Her eyes blazed. "Even the skinchanger agrees with that."
WroOth nodded, fanning himself as he studied the prince. This was a young man who thought he had a life full of trouble had no idea how much more trouble he was about to find himself in. "I agree with everything her Majesty says."
The prince had folded his arms, partially exposing a distinctive birth mark just above his heart. One that looked remarkably like an eagle. Disgust twisted within him, even more than before.
"If the original plan had gone through, it would not have mattered," Zorna continued. "But someone opened her mouth."
"I keep telling you. Maybe it was them." Gabrice then pointed at WroOth. "Or her."
"Opened my mouth about what?" WroOth blinked.
"You think skinchangers would understand our customs or be able to tell everyone in this amount of time? That one doesn't even understand the point of perfume. And who would even believe them! No, it must have come from one of their other leaders' Machat. Besides, these skinchangers are honored by the opportunity. The one will even apologize and acknowledge you as better suited."
"Then that will be enough." Gabrice kept his grip on his goblet of wine tight. He drained the rest of the contents and then tossed it to the floor. With a resounding ring, it clattered and rolled away.
"No, it will not. Not if you look like you're about to be stewed with the octopus and she looks like something dragged out of a fermenting vat. You two have to look like you are star fated now! We have her drink the psychic wine. She becomes a fool for you. You can work with that."
He strode away down the center aisle, muttering under his breath and rolling his eyes.
WroOth kept his focus on the queen. Maybe he understood this a little better now.
Gabrice shouted in pain, the resounding skid announcing clearly that he'd barked his shin on the table WroOth had moved. That was such a satisfying sound.
"Be ready for the assembly, boy. And stop drinking!" Zorna shouted after him. "Indulgences have done him no good."
WroOth hid his smile. "So you think this psychic wine…it isn't actually a punishment. It will make her…want him?"
"It does both. It will remove her inhibitions and make her compliant and suggestible. She's the Mother of the New Neyeb. She will want the best male for it even if she does make a fool of herself. And if she is too much the fool, then—" She rubbed her forehead. "Why am I telling you all this? It isn't as if you can understand the complexities of politics."
"They are far beyond me. But if I might make a suggestion?"
She smirked. "You think you could add something to this?"
"Unlike me, my sister is excellent at acting. Now, I swear to you, if you tell her she doesn't have to drink the psychic wine, she will convince any who are near that she loves your handsome boy. And how could she not? She is just tired. It has taken her by surprise. She wasn't prepared for this. But give her time, and she will fall in love with him and want nothing except to make him happy. Until then, she can act well enough to fool anyone who might question your proclamation over them."
"You are a sweet girl, Ruth. But you do not understand cunning. Your sister defied me. She almost made me look at a fool at the mind breaking. She might do it again, and if that happened at the wedding, it would be a disaster."
He tilted his head. Yes, it sounded as if the queen had spun it to seem as if Amelia had chosen to execute the Vawtrian woman rather than spare her and attempt a rescue. "But you weren't made a fool, your Majesty. Who could possibly do that? No. I think I understand a very little of what you are saying. All of these other Bealorns are coming to this wedding, and they don't believe you when you say that it's for the good of everyone that the prince and my sister are together."
"It is for the greatest good," Zorna acknowledged slowly. She tapped her index finger on the arm of the throne.
"And psychic wine, not that I know much of such things, is potent. But when it strips away inhibitions, that doesn't mean she will become…aroused. It is unpredictable. Even if one course is more likely, it is not guaranteed. Is this actually something that you could risk?"
The queen pressed her finger to her lips as her eyes narrowed. "This is not the time for risks, no." She sighed, then laughed, casting a fond glance in his direction. "You may be simple, but you are a treasure, Ruth. Yes. If your sister cooperates and accepts my will, then this shall work. She and Gabrice shall receive their vow marks. Once bathed in the suphrite, it will be impossible for anyone to say how long ago they were made with any certainty. The assembly will occur as soon as that is concluded." Her smile grew easier as she drew her hand across her mouth. "It is such a shame you're just a skinchanger. You really could have been a remarkable member of my court."
WroOth returned the smile shyly. "I do not need to be a member of this court to be of aid to you. It is my joy to serve."
SEARCHING
Amelia sat on the stone floor, her back to the corner. It was still hard to focus, but she had to reach Naatos. Without the scalding pain of her broken arm and the other wounds healed, it had to be easier. And if there was enough time, she'd get back in the suphrite to finish healing whatever was left.
