Page 44 of The Twisted Throne

James wasn’t entirely certain that was the case, given Cormac’s vehemence over Ahnna, but that wasn’t what was troubling him. Picking up the green drink, James downed it despite the awful burn, because though his father was right, every part of him rebelled against using Ahnna this way. She deserved better, but better was at odds with what was right for Harendell and Cardiff.

“It might not be the life Ahnna envisions, but we’ll protect her,” his father said, coming around the table to rest his hand on James’s shoulder.

Ahnna doesn’t need to be protected.

“William will get her with child, and then we’ll put her up in an estate that she can rule as she sees fit.”

A sudden surge of jealousy filled James. Not the first time he’d been jealous of his brother, but the first time in many years. The first time since he’d come to terms with the role that he played in the royal family, and James shoved the emotion behind as high a wall as he could, angry that he was feeling it now.

“She’ll want for nothing,” his father continued. “She’ll never need to lift a finger or worry about anything for the rest of her days. Which I think is far better than the alternative, don’t you?”

That wasn’t at all the life Ahnna wanted, James knew that. However, he’d also been face-to-face with Carlo, who would be a far worse fate than boredom in a country estate. “Yes.”

“Good.” His father lifted his hand from James’s shoulder, then carried on around the room. “Nothing is imminent, for royal weddings take time. And for all she’s against this marriage, Alex will want a spectacle for her son. Ronan will recognize that these coming months are the most critical to negotiate a reopening of the border and terms of trade, and you will continue meeting with Cormac as the liaison between us.”

James gave a tight nod.

“In the meantime, let us treat Ahnna to what it is like to be a princess in Harendell, yes?” His father grinned. “Banquets and balls, diamonds and dresses.”

That was the last way to impress a woman like Ahnna, but James remained silent as he rose, walking to the door.

“Oh, and I am sure this goes without saying,” his father said as James’s hand fell on the handle, “butyouwill keep Ahnna Kertell entertained and as far out of your brother’s way as can be reasonably managed, else we risk his behavior sending her fleeing whether we want her to or not.”

The last thing James wished to do was spend more time in Ahnna’s presence, but his father was king.

And kings were to be obeyed.

Ahnna blinked. “Pardon?”

“Why have you come?” Virginia repeated. “To Harendell.”

Ahnna opened her mouth, then closed it again, confused by the question, given the answer was obvious. “To marry your brother.”

Virginia crossed her arms, clearly unsatisfied with the answer, so Ahnna added, “To fulfill the treaty formed between my mother and your father, which included the promise of marriage between myself and William to forge a lasting and secure alliance between Ithicana and Harendell.”

The princess’s eyes narrowed. “So you are here because you must be here. You are marrying my brother because youmustmarry him.”

Ahnna considered the other woman’s tone, hearing the edge of protectiveness in it and suspecting the motivations behind the line of questioning. “I am here because I want to be here.”

Virginia’s face softened ever so slightly. “You were given the choice?”

“Yes,” Ahnna answered, because though there had been no choice in her mind, Aren had certainly given her one. “I chose to come to Harendell.”

“Why?”

A more difficult question. “Because I hope it will give me the opportunity to do some good.” She hesitated. “A union with Prince William will allow us to achieve good things together.”

Virginia was silent for a time, and then she said, “I am very protective of my family, Ahnna, but most especially of my brothers. James has the fortitude of an ox, but William is sensitive. Easily hurt, and as you have seen, my father is not always kind to him. If you wish to be on my good side, then you will serve as a shield between William and my father, for you are possessed of qualities my father admires. Make my brother’s life better, and I will support you. Harm him, and you will find yourself with a very dangerous enemy.”

Though she didn’t care for the threat, Ahnna admired Virginia’s forthrightness, so she only inclined her head as the other woman rose.

“A word of warning,” Virginia said. “If you think I am overprotective, know my mother is thrice so. There is nothing she won’t do to protect Will from harm, and she has been more than clear that she does not see you as a suitable wife for him. Don’t give her a reason to get rid of you, as my mother has a fondness for permanent solutions to anything she sees as a problem.”

The princess left the room without another word.

Crossing the space, Ahnna latched the door, then walked on silent feet through the sumptuous suite, which was all pale-blue velvets and polished wood, until she reached the door adjoining her rooms to Taryn’s. Twisting the knob, she pulled it open to find both her cousin and Bronwyn holding water glasses to their ears, clearly having been eavesdropping.

“You’re a terrible influence on her,” she said to Bronwyn. “At least tell me if you heard everything and spare me the dry throat I’ll get from explaining it all.”

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