Page 27 of Of Brides Of Queens

My eyes narrowed at the letter in his hand bearing the seal of See. Why did See send this prince specifically? Will Be implied a future. Has Been implied the opposite.

I took the letter and Has Been hovered as I pried it open.

Dearest Perantiqua,

The memory of you riding my power torments me and will forevermore, and this is the nature of payment you must offer for my tutorage in war.

I concede that my claiming ambition last evening was unexpected, and so I offer two lessons in warfare in exchange for your wonderful and unforgettable show.

My tutorage is expert and therefore costly.

With Sight,

See

He surely jested. He surely quipped. I scrunched the letter in a furious fist.Twolessons.

I barked an order, “Await my reply.”

Has Been reeled backward. “Y-yes, my queen. Lady. Lady Queen!”

I ignored the creaking of my dress as I sat at the desk and grabbed a sheet of paper with less care than the first time.

Only then did I realize that my first response had been to feel angry over how few lessons he offered in retribution. Perhaps the notion of paying him with my body warranted further thought.

I leaned back on the seat. “Goodness, this would make our relationship transactional indeed.” Impersonal. Clear.Transactional.

Warm intimacies had not granted us agreement. I was a queen with needs and a queen who would chase the mindlessness of his pleasure. The idea of no intimacy between us upset me greatly. I did not wish to receive this from anyone else.

And apparently, only a king might teach me war, and no other king was forthcoming. I could expect if they did offer tutorage that their suggested payment would not stir me as See’s transactional offer did.

I wished to find agreement with See. I needed to know of war. I desired him.

I picked up the quill.

See,

Expert your tutorage may be, and yet you make light of my shock and sadness that you are a different king since I became queen.

Four lessons in good will is what I shall accept.

As for your suggested method of payment, this suits our current cold standing with each other. I wish only to clarify that while I will pay for your tutorage with my body, you will need to pay for my tutorage with yours.

I will expect my first lesson in war by the week’s end.

Perantiqua

P.S. Send Has Been to deliver a letter to me again, and I will develop a rage.

I rolled and sealed the letter, then stormed out as much as I could in a gray leather dress. “Take him this. Kindly.”

Has Been bowed. “There is great tension. It crackles.”

“Things are different now I am queen,” I seethed. “So he says.”

“My liege is not as wise as I had thought if he would let the purest of light slip through his fingers.”

The comment siphoned some fury away. I rested a hand on Has Been’s hand. Three of mine could fit inside, so oversized it was. “Thank you, Has Been. I needed supportive words this evening. I am reminded of why I surround myself with you.”

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