Page 33 of Chained

Stralia was going to be a problem,I realized, the fact slapping me suddenly. I should have foreseen it, but perhaps I had chosen to ignore it. Or hoped it would just go away on its own.

Zephyrine turned to leave, but my voice rang out like whiplash. “The future queen leaves for no one, Stralia,” I hissed. “Youcan leave.”

Shock overtook Stralia’s face as she stared at me, and I snapped my fingers twice, ordering her up from the chessboard. Through my peripheral vision, I caught Grisella’s shocked expression, but I ignored it as Stralia glowered back at me.

“Now, Stralia,” I told her, my tone leaving no room for argument.

She jutted her small chin outward and rose, taking an extravagant, exaggerated bow. “As you wish, Alpha,” she purred. “You are the king, after all.”

“And she will be queen,” I growled back pointedly, my eyes boring into hers. “Youwillshow Miss Zephyrine the respect she is owed.”

Stralia scoffed openly, averting her eyes as she stormed out of my suite and into the hallway, leaving me alone with Grisella and Zephyrine.

“Do you require me for anything else, Alpha? Miss?” Grisella squeaked, clearly eager to be on her way.

“No, Grisella. That will be all.”

Grisella could not get out fast enough, and Zephyrine stared after her helplessly.

“You didn’t need to send everyone away,” she said worriedly.

“You’re going to be queen,” I reminded her dryly.

“So they keep saying,” Zephy replied with just as much wryness.

I raised my eyebrows. “You don’t believe it?”

She met my gaze evenly. “I know that it will depend on you. If you decide against it, the marriage won’t take place.”

I inhaled deeply and laughed mirthlessly. “I think we both know that’s not an option, don’t we?”

“That’s not the way everyone is making it sound, Alpha.”

“Can you… Just call me Cade when no one is taking notes, okay?” I begged her, gesturing for her to sit.

Biting on her lower lip, she offered me a tentative smile. “I can try.”

“And don’t put too much stock into what everyone is saying to you, Zephy. They’re paid to protect me and this kingdom. They want to keep you unnerved and off balance, almost like a hazing ritual, but we both know the terms of this coronation. A blood oath was sworn. Our families are bound for the security of Ironhelm. We have to get married. There’s no choice—for either of us. Not if we don’t want to spend the rest of our lives living out in a cave somewhere because we lost the kingdom.”

Miserably, Zephyrine hung her head. “That doesn’t seem like a really solid foundation for a marriage,” she muttered.

“They’re as good reasons as any,” I replied, as if by rote.

It was the same line that Aradia had fed me for as long as I could remember, and now, I was just spinning it back to anyone who asked.

She smirked lightly, raising her head, but I got the sense she didn’t say what was really on her mind.

“I really didn’t mean to interrupt your game.”

“You will be queen,” I told her again.

“Why do you keep saying that?” she asked with a small, nervous laugh. “I know. You don’t have to convince me… I mean, not really.”

“You should try to remember that in every part of your life here.”

She stared at me blankly, and I realized she didn’t understand what I was trying to say. “You shouldn’t let anyone speak to you the way Stralia just did.”

Her blush fully painted her cheeks now, and she visibly gulped as she looked away. “She’s your friend.”

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