Page 157 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“I’m sorry Luka.”

“I believe his title is Your Majesty,” I added. Lorenzo grumbled as he looked at his feet.

“I’m sorry,Your Majesty,” he grit out.

“Now go,” I demanded. “We no longer require your presence.”

Lorenzo stormed off, stomping like a child as he mumbled under his breath.

“I’m sorry about his behavior, I don’t know what has got into him tonight,” Arlo apologized.

“He will learn quickly Lennox will not tolerate disrespect.” Luka straightened his shoulders.

“As she should not.” Alro dipped his head. “I’ll leave you two to continue to mingle, congratulations again.”

Luka pressed his lips to mine. “Have I told you recently that I love you?”

“Not in the last few minutes.”

“I love you.” His words sent warmth coursing through my body as he kissed me again.

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough mingling for now.”

“I agree.” I finished off my glass of sparkling wine.

“Should we get the meal started?” I followed as he led me towards the head of the table.

The crowd grew quiet as we moved towards our spots, everyone shifting around us as they too found their seats. It took only a minute for silence to fall over the dining room. Luka andI traded our empty glasses for the ones set at our place settings before Luka spoke.

“Lennox and I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate our marriage today. We are excited about our future together as a married couple and what we can do together to unify our courts and all of Lethenia. As I see it, the future ahead of us is bright.”

Luce smirked from the spot beside me. “Such a softie,” she murmured. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Luka.

“Thank you all for coming,” I added.

“To Lennox and Luka!” Arlo boomed as he raised his glass.

“To Lennox and Luka!” The crowd cheered.

Luka beamed at me as he lifted his glass towards mine.

My lips had only brushed the thin glass when Luce grabbed my arm. “Wait!” She cried. Luka halted, his glass halfway to his mouth, brows furrowed.

“What?”

Her grip on my arm tightened. “I’m not certain, but I think your drink is poisoned.”

Luka’s voice lowered. “What?”

“Your drinks are poisoned,” she repeated.

“I heard that,” Luka hissed. “Why do you think that?”

Murmurs broke out around the table as everyone eyed us cautiously.

“I can smell it in the air,” she hissed. “I could smell something, but I wasn’t sure what it was until it hit me. Lennox, trust me, I know the smell of poison. I’ve been studying poisons for years—maybe it’s not in your drink, but it’s in the room somewhere.”

I set my glass down. “I trust you.”

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