Page 12 of Frost Bound

“Giver,” Basil replied with a short bow, one the Giver did not return. “They are ready for you.” The man’s keen eyes swept her from head to toe. “I see you have brought them a gift.”

Dahlia’s eyes widened. They’d better not be talking about her.

“I have.”

Stay calm. Stay calm. Stay calm.

Basiltsked. “Let’s hope it is enough.” He opened yet another plain door and swept inside. “Your Majesties, may I present the Giver.”

Dahlia gasped, and Adder shot her a frown before stepping out of sight. Jekket nudged her forward, and she pressed backward, not wanting to move. Why would he bring her before the monarchs? What could they want from her?

He was going to get her killed.

“Move it, or I will drag you in there myself,” Jekket growled, his hot breath washing over her.

On wooden legs, Lia stepped into the room, keeping her eyes on the floor. She’d heard of people being executed for less. Her mind conjured up the image of the creatures in the moat. That would not be her fate today.

Carefully, she shuffled farther into the room, studying her surroundings from the corner of her eye. A blush tinged hercheeks as she spotted the provocative paddles and strangling contraptions along the walls. She’d glimpsed some of the devices at the Giver’s brothel before.

He’d brought her to the royals’ pleasure room.

“Kneel,” the guard behind her hissed.

Lia dropped to her knees, attempting to make herself the smallest she could. Maybe if she held still, she could blend in with the floor.

Stop gawking, breathe, and listen.

“What a delight it is to see you again, Allium,” the Giver purred to Lia’s left.

Dahlia’s eyes rounded as she stared at the plush colorful rug depicting writhing bodies. It was racy to be sure, but Adder had used the queen’s first name. No one did that and lived. The queen’s last lover had been strung up outside the palace walls for calling out her name just once, or so the stories had gone.

He was going to get her killed before she could save her brother.

“It’s Your Highness to you,” the queen snapped.

Lia winced, and bowed lower, her neck aching with the movement.

The king chuckled, the sound grating on her already raw nerves. “Come now, darling, don’t be so hard on my son.”

My son.

The words rang in her ears, even as her jaw dropped. Had she heard that right?

“He may be your son, but he is not mine,” the queen hissed.

Sweet stars, Adder was one of the king’s many bastards.

Lia’s mind spun.

No wonder he’d never been arrested or executed for his many crimes. Bloody curses, the royals could have given him the slums. Just what was she tangled up in?

Nothing good, that was for sure.

“Come now,” the Giver cajoled. “You know I view you as the mother I never had.”

Dahlia schooled her expression and tried to blend into the floor. There was definitely too much sarcasm in his tone.

“I tire of this trivial conversation,” the king drawled. “He’s only here for one reason. Have you managed to procure what we asked for?”

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