Page 15 of Kiss of Ice

“Father, no! I wouldn’t marry that snake if he was the last man standing!”

“Morenna, the Emperor of the realm has personally summoned us. We can hardly refuse. And maybe there are advantages to be had from this match. We do not have to say yes, but let us at least hear what he has to say.”

“But you can’t mean… you’re not saying you’re considering this?” Ren was aghast.

“I want to keep my options open. This could greatly empower the Marid, lift us above the station of other jinn clans. And let’s face it, marrying the Emperor is far and away the best offer you could ever hope to make.”

“But father…”

“No arguments, Morenna.” Salaq’s eyes flickered over her clothing. “And do please try to wear something a little more suitable to the palace. That dress makes you look bloated.”

Ren coloured. She looked down at her mother’s ring, trying not to let her hurt show.

“But I don’t want to get married, father. And certainly not tohim, not after what he did.”

“You’ll do what’s best for us, child. Now go fetch Tarek. I need to send a reply to the palace.”

Seven

The Gilded Palace was as magnificent as she remembered. Her father had brought her here, not that long ago, when he thought he was going to ascend to the throne.

“This will be our home,” he’d told her. He’d been so crushed when Kamran had belatedly returned. She felt a flash of anger that her father’s dream had been taken from him.

The walls of marble swept upwards into turrets and towers, their pearly surfaces inscribed with ancient golden text. Few people could read it now. It was the language of angels, a long-forgotten tongue. But legend had it that before they left, the ethereal beings had carved a protection spell into the palace to safeguard Nush’aldaam. Their last gift before they vanished.

Peering from the window of their ceremonial carriage, Ren thought the shining runes seemed brighter than she remembered. She shivered. She wishedshehad a protection spell carved into her. But it was unlikely the Emperor would recognise her, she told herself. There was no way he could have seen what she looked like under that robe. And they’d only spent a few minutes together in his carriage. Still, she couldn’t help the anxiety gnawing at her stomach.

“Do we really have to do this, father?” she asked in a low voice as the carriage pulled up outside the palace gates.

“Haven’t I always looked after you?” Salaq tried to rein in his impatience. Ren needed persuading, and he recognised that his plan wouldn’t work without her. He softened his voice. “I know I haven’t been a perfect parent. But I’ve done the best I can without your mother. And if she was still alive today, she would say the same thing. Let us hear what he has to say.”

Ren tensed. Her father rarely mentioned her mother. She waited to see if he would say anything more, perhaps share a memory of her. But he didn’t. He never did. She sighed.

“What if he commands me to marry him against my wishes?”

“Forced marriage is illegal in Nush’aldaam, even for the Emperor,” Salaq said shortly. “He needs your consent. That is why nothing will happen if we don’t want it to. But if we decide it’s in our best interests, then so be it.”

We? It’s not ‘we’ that has to marry him.But she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to annoy him.

A footman opened the carriage door and waited for them to disembark. For once, Ren managed not to stumble as she was helped out. Salaq held back for a moment and touched his daughter’s hand. Her heart lifted. It was a rare moment of contact.

“Now remember, Morenna. Let me do the talking. And don’t slouch.”

“Yes, father. Do I… do I look all right?”

She’d put on her best dress, the black one that made her look thinner. It covered her ample cleavage and disguised the width of her hips. She hoped. She didn’t really give a fuck what the Emperor thought, she just wanted her father to be proud. He glanced at her briefly.

“It will suffice.”

They were ushered into the palace. Salaq was surprised when they were taken to the throne room. He’d assumed they would be conducting their business in one of the official meeting rooms. But he understood when he saw Kamran reclining in the royal seat, an insolent grin on his face. The Emperor was taunting him.

“I thought you’d like a closer look at the throne, Lord Salaq, since you were so interested in it during my absence.”

“How thoughtful of you, your Majesty.” Lord Salaq bowed his head just enough to be respectful. “It is indeed a pleasure to see you again. No-one was more delighted than I when you finally returned from your, er, sojourn.”

“Delighted? I think the word you’re looking for is surprised. Mortaine said to say hello, by the way. Before his head was ripped off by an enraged beast. Very sad.”

Salaq kept his face impassive.

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