Page 37 of Kiss the Filthiest King

I fix him with a long-suffering look.

He knows that information should have been shared and acted upon much sooner.

"Fine.” Loch rolls his eyes. “I'll call for one."

I shake my head, turning to my sister.

"Are you all right?" I ask for many reasons.

Our parent’s funeral was just hours ago, and before that, Ryther pretty much assaulted her, and beforethat, her fiancé was murdered. I ought to ask that question every five minutes. But presently, I’m wondering how she’s doing with the court. And Loch. Not necessarily in that order.

She nods, tightly. "Yes, but he's a prick."

I can't disagree. "Anything concerning?" I ask Caenan, still standing nearby, but at a respectful distance.

He steps closer. "No one is thinking about murdering her, or trying to, if that's what you mean. But many would like to get her alone."

He doesn't bother to tell us what they'd do then.

"More so now that she's on the dais with you."

Ugh. There are far too many fires to put out all at once.

"You're so kind for watching her, Caenan. I'll have to repay you with a favor."

"You're the one person in this room who doesn't have to repay favors. When you ask for something, it is called an order, my queen."

"All the same, I'll repay kindness," I insist. "How long has it been?"

"Five minutes."

I make a face.

Loch and Ryther agreed I ought to remain here two hours at least, to make it clear I'm not hiding.

I entertain myself by watching these strange people and their stranger ways. There's music—not particularly skilled, but quite engaging, making me want to join the few dancers, though that need isn't as overwhelming as the first time I heard fairy music. The dip in the queen's lake might have almost murdered me, but it cleansed me off some vulnerability to this world. That, or the iron blade in my heart.

"Can you hear my thoughts?" I wonder suddenly.

We never discussed that back in my chamber.

Caenan directs his gaze to mine, and frowns. "No, not clearly. It's not that they're blocked; there's something, but it's as if it's shattered, reflected off many mirrors. I can't make sense of it. Trying would split my head open."

Ryther said the same.

I bring my hand to my heart, feeling the sensitive scarring though I'm not touching it directly.If touching the dragonstone was enough to hide my thoughts, having it inside me is an unexpected blessing, erasing one of my weaknesses.

"Glad I didn't have to take zen yoga classes to learn to do that."

"Yoga?" he repeats. "Is that the thing humans do with their butts up in the air?"

"Humans do many things with their butts up in the air," Loch quips, reappearing holding a metal tumbler in a gloved hand.

He hands it to my sister. "Careful with that."

His sharp words and sharper look make it clear he doesn't trust her with it.

Remembering the bite of the iron arrowhead in my skin, I understand why. It's a weapon, one she could use on any of us. And he doesn't believe she's wise enough to keep it to herself. I'm not certain he's wrong. I can imagine her "accidentally" bumping him with it.

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