by Frost Kay
Gavriel glanced at his cousin and smirked. “That must be…uncomfortable.”
His cousin pulled a face and brushed his golden hair from his forehead, a wry grin tugging at his lips. “It’s not too bad. In fact, I think my father’s more uncomfortable about the whole situation than I. You’d think he was a blushing virgin. I’ll admit, I immensely enjoy teasing him about the attractive foreign queen.”
“Don’t let Osir hear you say that,” Gav commented. The Methian queen was a force to be reckoned with. He wouldn’t put it past her to take Sam over her knee and paddle him for his mischief.
“The feisty queen would never harm me. She likes me all too much.”
Gav rolled his eyes just as large shadows passed overhead. He tipped his head back and watched as seven Fiilee riders and their flying felines began to descend. Their large wings stirred up dust as they landed. His gaze paused on the striped beast nearest to him as an older woman slid from its back.
Speaking of the queen…
She patted the feline’s side and then strode for the palace entrance, leaving her creature without a second thought. That was bold. While Gav didn’t dislike the creatures, he wasn’t completely comfortable with them, either.
As if Osir’s Fiilee could hear his thoughts, it looked in his direction, predatory green eyes studying him as if deciding if he’d make a good snack or not.
“Not today, beastie,” he muttered. The feline’s ears twitched once before it dismissed him.
Sam sucked in a short breath.
Gav glanced askance at his cousin and frowned at the concerned expression on Sam’s face. He turned more fully toward him and leaned against the fence to give his aching leg a break.
“What’s wrong?”
Sam blinked and his expression shifted to something careful as he met Gavriel’s gaze. “Nothing.”
Nothing was never nothing with Sam.
“That was a lie.”
His cousin grimaced. “You always know when I lie.” He nodded toward the castle. “I don’t know if you want to see this.”
What could be so bad?
He turned on his heel and scanned the newcomers. His gaze skipped over an embracing couple and then darted back. Gavriel stiffened.
Mira was kissing Raziel.
The Methian prince held the healer against his body, an arm wrapped tightly around her waist and one clenching her long blonde braid.
Gav’s body flashed hot and cold, before rage ignited in his gut. How dare that man touch his betrothed!
Sam’s hand caught his shoulder, and he shook it off, noticing he’d taken two steps toward the couple. “Don’t touch me,” he murmured lowly.
“I wouldn’t go over there,” his cousin said softly.
“That is my future wife,” Gav responded, his tone flat.
“Not technically,” Sam added. “I believe she said something about tying up a few loose ends.”
“Does that look like a loose end to you?” he growled, a sick feeling twisting his stomach.
“Women are complex creatures…”
“Don’t give me that,” Gav hissed, his gaze helplessly pulled back to Mira. His fingers curled into fists, and he wanted to hit something. So, she wouldn’t allow any physical affection between them, but she allowed the Methian prince to maul her in public? “Does that look finished to you?”
Sam had the good grace to look away. “It does not.”
Gavriel cursed and found himself stalking toward Mira. Something dark wormed its way into his chest when Raziel briefly pulled back to press a kiss on the healer’s nose like he had the right.
Jealousy. He was bloody jealous.
He seethed with anger, but only one question ran through his mind. Did she turn him away because of his injury?
Chapter 16
Mira
Her lips tingled as she pulled away and stared up at Raz. It had been a great kiss, but it hadn’t stirred anything inside her.
He grinned down at her. “Hello, beautiful.”
She gave him a slight smile as she caught movement from the corner of her eye. Gavriel. Her stomach bottomed out as the prince stopped just out of arm’s reach, his violet eyes hard. He gazed pointedly to Raziel’s hand resting at her waist.
Stars, this was awkward.
Mira pulled away from the Methian prince, whose jovial expression faded to one of confusion. She clasped her hands together and smiled brightly, hoping to dispel some of the rising tension.
“Gav, you’re out early.” Her eyes narrowed when she noticed he didn’t have his cane. “Where is your support? You could really hurt yourself without it.”
“I’m fine,” her friend gritted out.
She bit back her retort, remembering her uncle’s advice. Not everyone was as straightforward as she was. Some things needed to be discussed in private. “If you’re sure.”
“Quite sure.”
“How are you?” Raziel asked, joining the conversation. He slapped Gav on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you’re well.”
Gav visibly bristled and shrugged off the Methian prince’s hand. “Didn’t think I would make it?”
“Not at all. I’m just happy to see you’re recovered. I’ve seen way too many people in the last few months not make it.” Raz sighed. “Many are homebound now.”
That hurt her heart.
Gav’s expression softened a touch. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m thankful to have my mobility back, but it’s still frustrating not to be able to accomplish everything I used to.”
Mira squeaked when Raz slung an arm over her shoulder and pulled her in for a side hug. Any geniality in Gavriel’s expression slid from his face.
Great.
“You had a wonderful healer. You’re a lucky man,” Raziel said.
Gavriel’s attention moved to her. Butterflies took flight in her belly at the scorching look he gave her. What was going on with him?
“I am indeed a lucky man,” her friend murmured, his deep voice causing goosebumps to rise along her arm. Six simple words but they held a wealth of feeling.
Raz stilled, and a blush heated her cheeks. She wasn’t the only one to pick up on the tension.
“Change is always difficult to deal with,” Raz responded conversationally.
“Not all change is bad. In fact, I have some great news.”
She stiffened. “We’d love to hear about it, but I’d like to show Raz around before he’s snatched up for delegations.” Mira held her breath and widened her eyes, in hopes that Gav would get her signal to shut up.
He studied her and nodded sharply, clearly not happy.
“I’ll leave you to it then,” he clipped out. Gav bowed shallowly to Raz, then stepped closer and took her hand.
Mira’s breath caught in her throat when he kissed her knuckles and glanced up at her, his lips lingering for too long on her skin to be polite.
Don’t make a scene, she mentally begged him.
Gavriel released her fingers slowly and stalked away. She glanced over her shoulder and frowned as he yanked open the door to the castle, entered, and then slammed it.
So much for not being dramatic.
Mira blinked, noticing how still the Methian prince was. She peeked up at Raz, who stared down at her intensely.
“That was interesting,” he finally muttered. “He’s angrier than I remember him.”
She wiped a hand down her face. That was an understatement. “He’s been difficult since his injury.”
“I don’t believe that’s it at all.” His tone was knowing.
“Did you get my letter?” she asked. No need to beat around the bush.
His brows furrowed. “I have not received a letter from you.”
Wicked hell. This was going to be harder than she thought. She thought he already knew and that’s why he was being so affectionate.
Mira wrapped an arm around his waist. “Let’s go for a walk on the beach and catch up.”
“I’d like that.”
“You look tired,” Raz commented.
Mira nodded, her gaze straying to the turquoise waves crashing against the rocks in the distance. She wiggled her toes in the warm sand. “It’s been a trying few months.”
“How is your father?”
“He’s doing well. His mind is still sharp, but he’s slowing down.” She swallowed hard and closed her eyes for a moment before glancing back at Raz, who leaned against a porous rock seemingly sunning himself. “It’s hard to watch someone grow old.”
“I’m sorry, Mira.” His amber gaze held sympathy. “My mother is about to abdicate the throne.”
“Really?” She faced her friend, her red skirt waving in the slight ocean breeze. “How do you feel about that?”
“Nervous and excited. It’s part of the reason we’re here.”
“Oh?” she asked.
Raziel pushed away from the rock, his attention intense as he reached her and took her hands in his. “It’s been a while since we’ve really talked. Time can change things.” His thumb brushed across the top of her right hand. “I wanted to make sure that you’re still firm in your decision.”
She swallowed hard.
“My offer still stands if you wish to take me up on it. I’ve thought long and hard about what you said, and I still want you.”
Her heart sank. “You know I can’t.”
“I knew what your answer would be, but I still had to ask.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“There’s no need to be sorry. I’m disappointed, but we’re not in love. Although, I could love you if you let me.”
Mira gave a watery laugh, on the verge of crying. “You’re too good to me.”
“You deserve it.”
Just tell him.
“There’s something I need to say.” She inhaled deeply and squeezed his fingers. “I’m betrothed.”
Raziel blinked at her. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.” He tried to pull away, but she held on to him. “I wrote you a few days ago to explain it all.”
“You told me you would never marry, and now I find you engaged to another man? What the hell, Mira?”
“It’s not what it seems.”
“Then explain it to me,” he said gruffly, pain creasing his face.
“It’s a marriage of convenience—”
“Convenience? I am offering myself and my kingdom and you’ve settled?”
“There’s a child that needs me,” she pleaded, hoping he’d understand. “She lost her mother.”
Raz swallowed and stared over her head toward the sea. Seconds stretched into minutes in silence.
“You continue to surprise me with your selflessness.”
“I’m not that good of a person. You know how much my work means to me. This man will not interfere with my work and has offered to give me a family and the protection of his house name. I am gaining much as well.”
“You care for him.”
That startled her. “He is a friend.”
Raziel smiled, but it was bitter. He peered down at her and pulled away gently, only to cup her cheeks. “You wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”
She opened her mouth to argue, and he pressed a finger against her lips. “I’m not stupid. I saw the way Gav looked at you and the way you looked at him.”
“I did not!”
“You did. I could see how upset you were that he was angry. Your gaze lingered on him, and his… Well, I know men, and that man wants you, craves you.”
“If that’s true, he hasn’t said a damn thing,” she retorted, feeling uncomfortable. Gav didn’t care for her that way.
“If that’s true, he’ll come for you soon.” A smug smile turned Raz’s lips upward. “I know jealousy, and that man was green with it. He did not like me touching you.”
Mira held his left hand against her cheek. “Are we okay?” she asked in a small voice.
“We are. It’s not the ending I would have chosen, but I am happy that you are finding your own life. I would not have you be alone your whole life.”
“Nor I you,” she answered.
“You’re not the only one to be married soon.”
Her jaw dropped, but surprisingly, she felt no jealousy or hurt, just relief. “Are you betrothed?”
“Not yet. My mother has been arranging affairs for me to take a wife.”
“Are you okay with that?” Mira questioned. The Methian prince liked to make his own way.
Raz nodded, pulling her into a hug, his forest scent curling around her. “I had anticipated an arranged marriage, but when I met you, I hoped for something different.”
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled against his shirt. What a pair they were.
“No need to be. I’m happy to have gained a friend such as you. We are friends, no?”
“The best,” she answered, hugging him fiercely. “Have you met her?”
“Not yet. All the last-minute details are being set in place, but hopefully soon.” A pause. “When I marry…would you stand with me?”
Mira leaned back and grinned up at her friend. “Absolutely, as long as it won’t bother your future wife.”
“I suppose that could be a problem, but I’ll sort it out.” He laughed and smiled; the sea breeze ruffled his long hair. “Are you going to invite me to your nuptials?”
“I didn’t know if you’d want to come,” she admitted sheepishly.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Raz pulled away and looped her arm through his. “Now that we’ve gotten that over with, what has been going on? You know I love hearing court drama.”
She wiggled her brows. “You wouldn’t believe who visited me last week for…”
Chapter 17
Mer
“I have news,” Sin announced as he waded out of the moonlit sea.
Mer’s heart sputtered, and she pushed away from the tree she was leaning against, her skin prickling slightly at the cool night breeze. She stared at her brother-in-law, her sharp gaze taking in his grim expression despite the darkness. His thin lips firmly pressed together did not bode well. Sin’s visit wasn’t a happy one.
“Get on with it,” she barked, her toes curling in the wet sand. The suspense was killing her.
“The king has made a decision, and your punishment shall be enforced within the next fortnight.”
Only fourteen more days. Her shoulders sagged, and she focused on the frothy waves lapping gently at Sin’s ankles. Most people would dread what was coming, but Mer welcomed it. She’d been in limbo for too long. Knowing that her punishment was coming eased some of her anxiety. The unknown was the worst.
She looked back up at Sin. “Do you know what my punishment is to be?”
“The king has kept everything very close to his breast.” Sin’s expression turned sad, his familiar magenta eyes holding pain. “Whatever it is, it will not be pleasant. I suspect that part of it will be banishment.”
Mer’s heart sank. It was what she deserved, but the thought of being exiled from her family for the rest of her life cut deeply. She fiddled with the end of her long braid. It was less than she deserved. Banishment wouldn’t be the only consequence for her actions.
Sin pulled a sealskin pouch from his hip and held it out to her. She took a step forward into the water and took it from his fingers before tying it to her belt.
“That is the last of the herbs for a while,” Sin said softly, nodding to the seaweed. “The cultivators are keeping careful watch over their crops. That was all I could collect without getting caught.”
“It’s more than enough.” Mer hugged him, seawater seeping into her clothing. “I appreciate what you’ve done.”
Her brother-in-law hugged her back before releasing her and running a hand down his face. “The Sirenidae have been too stingy with our healing herbs for far too long.”
“You’ve gone above and beyond what anyone else has done, Sin. You have sa
ved many with the risks you’ve taken to obtain these herbs.”
“This is just a little thing. I wish I could do more.” He kicked at the surf. “Whoever has been stealing from the fields has made a real mess of things.”
Mer’s brows furrowed. “One of our people?”
He shook his head. “No. The cultivators have the crops locked down securely. The thieves were very sloppy.”
That was bad news.
She walked around Sin until she reached a large rock and leaned against it, kicking at the water as her mind started running over his words. Who would steal from the fields apart from her people? The herbs were made available for all of their people. “Do you have any idea who did this?”
Her brother-in-law shook his head. “They were sloppy in their execution but extremely careful to cover their scents and tracks.”
“Odd,” she murmured. If they could hide their scents, surely, they would have been able to steal the seaweed without leaving a trace. Unless it was on purpose. Maybe they were trying to make trouble for Mer’s people.