Page 27 of A Court of Truth and Thorns
KALI
Nausea grips my throat, forging slowly into hatred. Owain knew—heknewwhat happened to Rune five years ago. What it did to him. And Owain had him whipped anyway. To make a point. To us, to Rune, to himself.
My mind jumps back to finding Rune hidden when we arrived. He wasn’t trying to deceive us or eavesdrop, but to grasp a moment of privacy to collect himself. To button a heavy coat over a ruthlessly timed beating.
The only decent piece of wall to lean against, he said. He never said he was leaning against it with his back.
Owain pours himself a goblet of chilled wine. “Do not keep our guests in suspense, boy. Tell them what you were punished for.”
My fingers curl into fists, my body going still as a poised viper. The magic stirs inside me, growling its rage and hate. It presses against me from the inside, pulsating with latent power.
Rune’s eyes widen and focus on me, the first sign he gives of being aware of my presence. He holds my gaze now, hisface a desperate warning to calm myself. “I received six lashes for failing to protect Princess Raza,” he says evenly, the words uttered for his father, the tone kept gentle for me.It’s all right, his tone lies.I don’t mind very much.Don’t do something stupid. Not over this.“Another dozen for impersonating the crown prince of Everett.”
My jaw clenches, but I yank my magic back hard. Calvin’s question comes back to me. Whyaren’twe at the royal palace?
Because with enough distance from the throne, this meeting can be made to never have happened.
King Owain straightens his tunic. “Prince Rune of Everett is dead,” he says with a final, dismissive shrug. “But to your point, Lady Kalianna, I suspect your assessment of Bishop Bahir is accurate enough, though outdated.” He smiles without humor. “Not that it greatly matters, but he did not take the throne directly following the coup. He actually placed Princess Violet atop it. If my scouts’ reports are accurate, that is.” Wil draws a hard breath. Owain smiles. “A minor detail, really. No one imagines Princess Violet to be anything but a puppet. Would Your Highness agree?”
Wil clenches his hands in his lap but nods.
“Well then, young prince,” King Owain passes a goblet of wine to Wil and crosses his legs, “shall we discuss the final card you hold? Do not tell me the matter has failed to occur to you.”
Wil scratches the back of his head. “Your pardon, sir, but there are so many things that have failed to occur to me in the past months that narrowing them down to find the one you wish to discuss is more challenging than it appears.”
“Quite understandable.” Owain leans forward, a predator moving in for the kill. “Given the trying times for our nations, Your Highness will surely forgive the direct words for the sake of clarity. Princess Raza was permitted to travel to Dansil forone reason only: to introduce King Firehorn to his future daughter-in-law.”
For an instant, I’m certain I’ve misheard Owain, or at the very least misunderstood. But Wil’s eyes are wide, and even Rune stiffens, which is a feat for someone already still as stone.
“I was unaware of this arrangement or negotiation,” Wil says finally, wisely avoiding offering an explanation for his ignorance. Whether he knew nothing because Firehorn kept it secret or because Owain just made it up now is of little consequence.
“I’m quite aware that the bride’s recent injury decreases her attractiveness, but Dansil’s situation has changed as well.” Owain smiles coolly. “Everett is not in the business of taking allies on charity, especially not the nation that murdered so many of my kingdom’s sons. If you wish to secure Everett’s assistance in reclaiming the throne, you shall bring something to the table more valuable than a sad handful of loyal servants.”
“You want me to marry Princess Raza,” Wil repeats dumbly.
No,everything inside me screams.
“Yes,” says Owain. “Marry and crown as an equal, not just a consort. A dowry of Everett soldiers is a mighty offering. And we’ll have the girl wear a veil as a matter of course. It might even become a new fashion amongst the women.” He slaps his knees and rises. “Think on it.”
The queen, silent all this time, comes to her feet as well. As Owain opens the door to exit, she leans down to kiss Rune’s cheek. “I am pleased to see you well,” she says gently. “For however long you might stay.” Her gaze floats toward the door.
King Owain sighs, nods, and holds up five fingers before leaving without his wife. Five minutes.
Maria lays her slender fingers against Rune’s face. “Do not think he made this decision lightly, Rune. Your father may sound like things matter little to him, but he has weighed all the options over the past weeks. He believes it for the best that you remain... in hiding.”
A pleasanter way to say “dead.”Owain is a venom-filled monster, I want to growl. I hold my tongue, though. Rune would little thank me for interfering now.
He looks up, meeting his mother’s brilliant green eyes. “Raza has changed.”
She sighs. “You must understand that you were the one raised for the throne since swaddle clothes, not her. To rise from a sibling’s shadow to being heir to the throne has been a hard journey for her.”
“She isn’t a child, Mother.”
“She’s been the heir for less than five years. You must give her leeway.”
Rune’s face darkens, his eyes flashing with anger for the first time. “Leeway to do what, exactly? What she did in Camp—”
“I will hear no more.” Maria draws herself to her full height. “Do not try to goad me into politics or playing favorites with my own children. I love you both, just the way you are.” She gives him an indulgent smile. “Plus, when she is married, she will change once more. They always do.” This last part, she directs at Wil and then, with a wink, she disappears out the door.
