Page 35 of Conspirators' Kingdom

But she wasn’t who he really wanted to get his hands on.

“Then as the favour you mentioned bestowing upon me in the sparring ring, I request that you officially ask for her hand in marriage.”

It was not how Mereruka had imagined this meeting would go, nor what he’d envisioned her asking of him. Bas shifted on his feet, standing behind Mereruka’s chair, pretending to be his attendant. Mereruka knew she’d had trouble with bride candidates refusing to keep their appointments or pleading a change of heart after meeting with him. She must be feeling the weight of their deal pressing down on her. Could he agree to the favour he owed her, and also get her in the bargain?

Mereruka suspected someone in the mage court wanted to prevent his marriage to one of their women and was pressuring candidates to step aside. If he gave the malefactor enough time, would they get to Chloe as well? The domina was a perfectly ambitious woman who knew well how to navigate court life. Chloe was intelligent as well as attractive, but the more he got to know Taisiya, the more he saw her on the throne by his side. Where Chloe had a romantic heart and seemed overly eager to be in his good graces, there was a dark, sharp undercurrent to Taisiya. He couldn’t picture Chloe stepping over his brother’s fresh corpse, but he could picture Taisiya wielding a blade of lightning against Khety given the right incentives. It was that viciousness in her that called to the viciousness in him.

“Then in three days, when the ugly incident with Djadty has had time to settle, I will do just that. But since you’ve asked me to rush this proposal and the conclusion of our deal, know that if she refuses me, I will consider it a failure on your part.”

“That’s absurd. What kind of reward comes with a punishment?” Taisiya asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Oh? Do you have a list of other candidates?”

“I have a few to spare,” she replied, her tone grudging.

There were still more? Gods, he’d never imagined his show of presenting the gifts would cause him so much trouble selecting his first choice of bride.

“Then if Chloe refuses me, and the other candidates haven’t run off, I won’t consider it a failure on your part. I believe that is more than fair.”

“Fine, but only if you swear not to do anything to the women that might harm your chances of marrying them.”

Did she suspect him to be behind the intimidation of the candidates?Success. She really had no idea who was pushing her further into his trap if she thought he had a hand in it. So long as the one responsible wasn’t Chloe, Taisiya would be his. All he needed to do was let it slip he was close to offering marriage to Chloe and the malefactor would do his work for him.

“Then we have an agreement, Ambassador.”

Taisiya nodded and stood.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have a wedding to organise.”

“No need to do so on my account. We have more than enough magic to put together something spectacular by Lethe’s standards in a matter of hours.”

Taisiya raised a copper brow.

“I had no intention of assisting you in that regard. It is for my sister, Milena.”

“In that case, would you like my assi-”

Taisiya held up a hand to stop him.

“No, Prince Mereruka. Weddings for our household are small, private affairs. Family members only.”

Her tone brooked no argument. It was one she used often with him. And it always had him wondering what she was hiding when she used it.

With that, she swept from the room, his presence forgotten. He looked up at Bas, standing beside his chair, and smiled.

“No,” Bas said, frowning.

“Where’s your curiosity?” Mereruka asked, grinning.

“Self-preservation killed it! I’d rather not die by lightning bolt.”

“We’re going to that wedding.”

“Who’s the adult here?” Bas muttered angrily.

But Mereruka was decided. It was time he discovered more about the woman who intrigued him most in Lethe.

Chapter 18

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