Page 7 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

Arlo assessed me for a moment, his dark eyes narrowing. “You tell me your thoughts first, then I’ll tell you what my grandson said. I don’t want his words to sway what you might say.”

He leaned back, his chair groaning. He was a smart male, I’d give him that. I appreciated him being upfront, but I didn’t have any reason to trust his intentions. Any information I gave him could be used against me.

“I don’t know how much Luka has told you, but I am not thrilled at the arrangement. As everyone knows, my parents were mated, I hoped I would find my mate someday. I’m not daft, I know an arranged marriage would be best for my political standing, but it’s not what I imagined for my future. It’s taking some time to get used to the idea.”

Arlo sipped his drink. “And you were not your family's heir, none of this was a future you saw for yourself. I’m sure it has all come as a shock.”

“It has.”

“I am truly sorry for your loss.” His gaze darted to his desk, avoiding mine. “I met your father—and your brother too, they were both great males. All of Lethenia suffered because of their deaths.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Luka on the other hand, has known he would be king from the age he could understand what his title meant. He’s been training for this his entire life. He’s always known there was a probability he would partake in an arranged marriage if it arose. Never once did he argue against it or speak any displeasure.”Arlo took another sip of his drink. “So imagine my surprise, when he came home, from spending time with you, away from his home, and instead of being happy, he came back in the worst mood I’ve ever seen him in.”

Arlo shook his head, his dark hair swaying. “The boy hardly speaks to me, and when he does, his mood is piss poor. All he ever tries to do is talk me out of you two marrying.” He set his empty glass on the desk with a thud, resting his elbows on the desk and leaning in close.

“So tell me, Lennox Adair, why is it he never had a problem with an arranged marriage except when it came to marrying you?”

My throat tightened. I truly had wrecked him. Broken him as thoroughly as he broke me. “I—I can’t speak for Luka’s actions.”

Arlo let out a puff of air. “I don’t care what happened between the two of you previously, all I care about is the future. A future that is dependent on my grandson marrying you.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. Clearly, Lorenzo hadn’t divulged everything to his father upon his arrival back in the Blood Court, and neither had Luka. The king appeared oblivious to mine and Luka’s relationship. Unless Arlo was as good a liar as me.

“So what I need you to do, Ms. Adair, is to convince my grandson this union is the best thing for him. Maybe hearing it from you will make him see clearly.”

I doubted Luka wanted to hear anything I had to say. I doubted he’d even want to see me.

“What makes you assume I can convince him?” Emotions clogged my throat as I steeled my shoulders.

Arlo poured himself another drink, remaining silent as he filled his glass.

“You’re a pretty, young thing.” He leaned back in his chair. “I don’t imagine it will take much convincing.”

“Why are you so adamant Luka marriesme? He was in line for a title here. Do you not suppose he will make an adequate king?”

Arlo’s nostrils flared. “Quite the opposite, Your Majesty, Luka will make a marvelous king. I would not have put him up for the title of High King if I didn’t believe so. Like I said, the boy has been preparing to be king his whole life.”

The words,unlike you,were left unsaid.

Arlo’s voice deepened as he continued, “He was trained by me and his father, who would have made an outstanding king had he not died unexpectedly.” Arlo’s voice wavered slightly.

“When Luka’s parents died, it changed him. There was a while where I thought I wouldn’t get him back. He was so lost in his grief—” He shook his head as he stared at his hands. “I was not a present father to my own children, so trying to be a father to my grieving grandson was something I had no clue how to do, but I tried my best, because despite what you may believe, I love my grandson very much, and I want only the best for him. I believe the future my grandson deserves is not here.”

He leveled his gaze with my own. “I am only telling you this because you are the High Queen, and I believe you will use this information with discretion. Do I have your discretion, Lennox Adair?”

Anxiety coiled in my gut.No. I wanted to tell him. I couldn’t handle anything more right now. But I needed to know what he knew.

“Yes.”

“Dark things are brewing in our court, things I don’t want to leave as a burden on my grandson.”

“What kind of dark things?” I pressed.

“That is a conversation of another time, but I will let you know this Lennox Adair—Luka may believe the Blood Court is his legacy, but it’s not. He needs to get out of here before it is too late. So when I saw the opportunity to get him out I took it. Despite how angry it might have made him.”

I opened my mouth to press him for more details, but he stopped me.

---