Page 10 of The Lost Nation

Harrow’s lips narrowed into a straight line, and I knew he was displeased. If he had his way, I'd already be betrothed to someone in Cantrada, and the wedding date already set. Too bad I didn’t care. “By your leave.”

Though the thought of men competing for my favorwaspleasing to me, even if it was just a distraction. The winner would simply have to come to terms with the fact that I already had my own paramour on the side, though of course I'd invite me to live at the palace as one of my personal guards.After all, kings had mistresses all the time didn’t they?Why couldn't I?

???

Zara was completely enraged, her red hairing falling wildly around her face as it escaped the confines of its leather tie.“What’s this about acontestfor your hand?”

I was taken a bit aback by her anger, figuring sheknewthis would happen. “I’m expected to marry and produce heirs. I’m aqueen, Zara.But it's not serious...I'm using it to keep their minds and eyes off of us."

My sea captain went from quivering fury to stillness so quickly it nearly gave me whiplash. “I have painted a rather largetargeton my back just to be by your side. Forgive me if I object to beingreplaced.”

I smiled, finally realizing the reason for her ire. “I have no plans on replacing you. I will explain to this winner how things are, and he will beforced to getalong with you.”

Her brown eyes glared at me in an odd mix of rage and indignation. Then she exploded into movement, flying over the desk and sending all of my letters and parchments scattering to the floor. I didn’t have time to protest, because she straddled me on my chair, kissing me dominantly as one hand stroked my throat.

I lost myself to her fierceness, groaning with need as she gripped my jaw and squeezed. Her tongue demanded entrance and I submitted, wanting nothing more than to be taken andused. Heat blossomed up and down my entire body, my thighs already parting as they anticipatedmore.

Then Zara drew back, studying me intently as I gasped for air. Her hands her still all over me—one gripping my jaw, the other my neck. “You think I’d ever consent toshareyou?”

Her words caused a delightful shiver to run down my spine. I couldn’t think of anything to say—my brain was mush, and my body completely at her whims. I cleared my throat, and tried again. “No one would accept two queens ruling together. I need heirs, and—”

Zara sneered.“You have enough distant cousins running around this aristocracy. Pick one ofthem.”

It seemed so reasonable whenshesaid it, as her hand slipped down the open neckline of my dress to trace the curve of my breast. I couldn’t help arching my back to push them closer towards her. “Ican’t—”I whined.

I also didn't want any of my snot-nosed cousins to inherit my throne.My desperate tone must have reached her, because her gaze narrowed in determination. “Fine. I will simply have to prove that Aldur needs noking.”

Her mouth crashed down onto mine, and I pulled her down with me onto my desk.

Chapter 5

Kieran

Benedict seemed happy, which was suspicious.

Oh, we still had plenty of issues to work out—the Overlord was still out there, the humans weren’t stable enough to govern themselves, and the half-breeds being raised by the witches had far too much power.

But the odd smile I’d catch him throwing when he thought no one was looking? Unnerving. And he had been hogging Wren to himself lately, chasing her around the island like they were once more a newly mated pair.

Not that I was jealous.

I assumed it meant Wren was recovering, and I anything that made her happy was worth encouraging. After her last ritual, the white magick came off of her in torrents, overwhelming her until we went and fetched Wyrren to help us direct the stray magick back into the wards.

Magick can’t be created or destroyed after all, only transferred.

Wren came flying in my direction, but didn't look like she was going to stop.“Where are you going?”I called out to her?

This morning she looked more put-out than usual, considering the honeymoon she'd just been having with Benedict. Wren adjusted her flight path when she saw me, landing with only a minor stumble in front of the tree I was sitting under.

She scowled, tucking her wings behind her. “There you are. Benedict hasn’t let me out of his sight these past few days.”

I laughed, because it was true. Out of the three of us males, her and Benedict's relationship had always been the rockiest. If they needed time to work things out, Ronan and I would gladly give it.

I gave Wren a quick kiss, then my eyes saw what was likely the cause of Benedict’s elation and sudden fixation.

Wren’swingshad filled in.

Elation and joy filled my heart, and she groaned in exasperation. “Notyoutoo. I was on my way to see the other females and ask what it meant. Benedict wouldn’t tell me—some nonsense about tradition and males. He did say I could askyouthough!"

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