Page 110 of Wild Flame

Back in our chambers, Malik insisted on a healer seeing to the cut, even though it was little more than a scratch. When he finally left after applying a healing salve, Malik stood before me with his arms crossed. I knew he wasn’t angry with me, but I could tell he was still furious about what had happened.

Those knowing amber eyes regarded me. “What did she say to you?”

“She was angry that I dismissed Hilde, and that I had been avoiding her since she arrived.”

“And this made her strike you?” He raised a dark brow. He knew there was more.

I didn’t want to tell him. Not out of a misguided sense of wanting to protect my mother, but because I felt ashamed, and I knew it would only upset him.

I looked away, my eyes catching on the sunny courtyard beyond the open window. “She was angry at me for sharing your room and your bed.”

“Is it not the custom in Halmar for a husband and wife to share a bed?”

I winced. “She doesn’t see our marriage as valid.” I hurried on, since I could feel the rage drifting from him in tangible waves. “Then she went on about how I’m not a dragon rider, so I’m not worth anything. That was nothing new,” I admitted. “It was just that this time I had the gall to remind her she wasn’t one, either.”

“I should have sent that viper back to Halmar,” Malik bit out. “And why should it matter if you’re not a dragon rider?” he demanded, brow furrowed.

“Why should it matter?” I repeated, stunned. “You are a king. Your heirs must be dragon riders.” My voice softened. “And I might not be able to give you that.”

Malik stepped before me and took my face in his hands. If I had to put a name to the look on his face, I would say it was something akin to affectionate exasperation.

“Listen to me, siren,” he commanded firmly. “When we have children, of which I hope there are many,” he smiled, “I will not care one wit if they become riders or not. They will not be of value to me because they are my heirs, or because they are bonded to a dragon. I will love them because they are our children.”

I stared at him and the sincerity in his eyes shattered any lingering doubt or disbelief in my heart about whether he meant what he was saying as he continued.

“We will teach them that their value lies in their strength of character and the choices they make, not in what they can or cannot do for our kingdom. They will know their worth and that they are loved by their mother and cherished by their father. I will teach them to govern and to ride. We can both teach them to fight, and you will sing them to sleep every night. We can work together and strive to be the parents we should have had.”

Unbidden, tears began streaming down my face.

He didn’t bother to brush them away as he kissed me. When he pulled back, he touched his forehead to mine. “You might not be a rider,isholet, but you are one of the most resilient, stubborn, passionate, and loyal people I know.” He leaned back. “I love you.”

I ran my hands over his face, his mouth, his bearded cheeks. “I love you, too,” I whispered.

That devilish grin I loved so much made an appearance. “I know,” he said. Then he lifted me into his arms and my lips found his.

Chapter Forty

Having acquired all the evidence he needed against Salim and Nilfren, Malik decided to confront them together. Since Salim had returned to his home territory of Sohan some time ago, Malik decided to call a formal meeting of the Rajid. Salim may still feel insulted that Malik had chosen me rather than Priya to be his queen, but he couldn’t ignore a direct order from his king, nor could he afford to miss a meeting of all the territory leaders.

The meeting was set for two days before our Halmarish ceremony was to take place. Traditionally, along with the seven Rajid leaders, including Malik, the queen was also in attendance as well as Prince Amir as the king’s current heir, though Malik had expressed doubts over whether Amir would actually bother to show. The Fangdar was also expected to attend, namely those members who were in the capital, including Harun and Taj. Ramin would remain imprisoned in the tower until his name was cleared, but Sura had been more than willing to participate once we explained to her that we intended to confront those truly responsible for the attack on Unari.

Helene had been given minimum details as well but would be in attendance along with Nilfren. The detestable man had bowed and simpered when I personally invited him. Though I had seen the triumphant gleam in his eye that he couldn’t hide. No doubt he now believed Malik and I thought him important enough to be included in such a meeting. I didn’t disabuse him of the notion.

Formal meetings of the Rajid were always held inside The Sphere, which was perfect for our purposes. It was still located inside the palace but slightly removed. It was not a place that was easy to escape from, especially since we planned on having all the exits guarded. It was also convenient that dragons weren’t permitted so Salim’s dragon wouldn’t be present to cause any trouble. And once the other Rajar learned what Nilfren and Salim had done . . . it would be a good thing their dragons were a safe distance away as well.

When the evening of our planned dinner arrived, a nervous kind of anticipation mixed with dread filled my chest. I was sick at the thought of confronting the men but was eager for it all to be over. Once this was dealt with, things could finally be normal, and we wouldn’t have this constant fear hanging over us that another attack might happen. I couldn’t help thinking about Leif as well and wondering where he was now. Had he really gone to Halstaff? The thought of him waiting in that small border town made me sad. The thought of not having him in my life any longer made me sadder still, even after what he’d done.

Astrid had already helped me into my gown, a more formal gold and cream piece that was cut in modest lines save for baring one shoulder and arm completely. I couldn’t help thinking of how scandalized I would have been mere months ago at the thought of baring so much skin. How things had changed.

Malik had left not long ago to prepare everything, and I would meet him there shortly. I was sitting at my vanity drinking sometea, watching as Astrid finished partially braiding my hair back on one side. My new maid, Tika—one of the Zehvitian servants Astrid had befriended—added a jeweled barrette to the curls. I had hired her not long after I let Hilde go. So far, I had no complaints and Astrid was thrilled.

I knew both my maids could sense my tense mood and had guessed something was happening tonight. Malik and I had told no one but those who needed to know about our plan for fear of who else might be involved, especially if we were wrong about Salim being the third conspirator. Though I didn’t think we were.

“Thank you,” I murmured when they were finished and stood. I couldn’t put it off any longer. It was time.

As I entered The Sphere, the first thing I noticed was the silence. There was no one else about, just as we had planned, but it was somewhat eerie to be alone—save for my guards—in such a large space. The sun had nearly set and so hardly any light filtered through the glass dome overhead. Thankfully, what seemed like hundreds of torches had been lit along the many paths to combat the growing shadows. But I barely took in the breathtaking beauty of the sky above or the fountains and plants around me like I had at our ceremony. This time I was too focused on the building I was heading toward.

The Conclave Hall was a simple, one-story structure about a hundred feet behind the central stone dais where Malik and I had been marked. It was a beautiful building made of ancient white stone that gleamed in the light of several braziers lit on either side of the entrance. As I approached, I couldn’t believeI hadn’t noticed it the first time I was here. Though I had good reason to be a little distracted at the time.

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