Page 58 of Lady of Ashes

“But youareforcing me into a union,” Callan cut in.

“Would you rather I choose your bride then, Prince?” the king asked, his eyes cutting to him. “Would you rather we give you a princess for political purposes and power plays? Or you would like to continue courting the young woman sitting beside you?”

“I would like to continue courting her, yes, but that does not mean I am ready to ask for her hand,” Callan countered.

“I am giving you the choice of who, not the choice of when,” the king said. “An announcement will be made tomorrow morning either way. It is time to grow up, Callan. It is time to take your place in this kingdom.”

Servants were silently clearing away dishes, preparing to bring out the next course, but Callan couldn’t eat even if he’d wanted to. Asking Tava to pretend to be courting was one thing, but to ask this of her? They could have come up with a simple enough way to end a courtship, but an engagement?

“Balam, do something,” Veda hissed from down the table, and her father’s eyes snapped to her.

“Mind your manners, Veda,” Lord Lairwood reprimanded. “You were raised better. You know your place.”

“How are you not more upset by this?” Mikale demanded.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but I am failing to understand why Lord Mikale and Lady Veda are so upset by this demand,” Tava cut in, her tone calm and collected, as though this wasn’t turning into a colossal disaster. “It does not affect them nearly as much as it does myself and Prince Callan. Unless I am missing something?”

Callan caught a tiny smirk ?it across Drake’s face across the table before he quickly schooled his features back under control.

“You know damn well why we are upset,” Veda spat, jabbing a ?nger in Tava’s direction.

“Veda,” Lord Lairwood admonished again. “Stop this nonsense at once, or you will be removed from this table.”

“But Father—”

“Victor, are you concerned about the change of plans?” the king asked, as plates of meat and vegetables were placed in front of them. “Is there anything we need to discuss?”

“Of course not, your Majesty,” Lord Lairwood replied, glaring at his daughter across the table. “I think your comments were wise regarding this union going smoother if Prince Callan has a say inthe bride. He clearly already has an established relationship with Lady Tava, and her upbringing and bloodline are certainly suitable for the role of queen. A king happy in his marriage is better for the kingdom than one forced to endure the company of a woman he does not want.”

“Father—” Veda tried again, but she was cut off by the king once more. “And you, Balam? Do you have an issue with your daughter becoming betrothed to Callan?”

A pointed smile spread across Lord Tyndell’s face as he lifted his chalice. “It would be an honor,” he said tightly.

Because what else could he say, Callan realized. It was not as if he could show how furious this made him. Why would a Lord be upset by his daughter being set on a path to become a queen? That was what every Lord dreamed of if they had a daughter. Saying he did not agree with this would open him up to more questions, and he clearly needed to regroup.

“Splendid,” the king said tersely. “This matter is settled then, and there will be no more discussion of it this evening.”

“That is it?” Callan demanded, his palms ?attening on the table before him.

“Was I unclear with my wording, boy?” his father asked, his eyes narrowing on him.

Callan forced himself to bite his tongue on everything he wanted to say. Nothing he said right now was going to change his father’s mind. That much was clear.

“No, sir,” he answered tightly, pushing his chair back from the table. “But I do need a moment. Excuse me.” He stood, striding for the doors, Finn and Sloan meeting his gaze with grim expressions.

“Sit back down, Callan,” his father commanded, but another chair scraping sounded in the room. “You, too, Lady Tava.”

“With all due respect, your Majesty, if you are going to force this union on us before we are ready, I am to be his wife, and it will be my duty to comfort him when he is upset. You will not keep me from going to him now, and you can give us a minute to adjust to the sudden demands placed upon us,” Tava replied, strong and con?dent, her footsteps sounding as she made her way to him.

“Tava!” Lord Tyndell reprimanded.

But she didn’t even glance at her father as she came to his side, slipping her arm around his. She pressed up on her tiptoes so shecould speak into his ear. “Take me somewhere we can talk without prying ears, Callan.”

Callan nodded, sliding his arm from hers to the small of her back. He led her up a set of stairs and down the hall where his rooms were at the end of it. He glanced at Finn, who nodded once, understanding the silent order that no one was to come near the door.

Pushing the door open, he stepped to the side to let Tava pass, following her in. He crossed to a window, pushing it open to feel the cold, winter air on his face, cooling his skin.

“That entire conversation I was waiting for you to comment about hot summer days,” Callan said grimly, watching the snow fall, ?akes glistening in the moonlight.

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