Page 71 of Lycan King's Captives
Vin gives me a satisfied smirk. “Excellent. I hope she will be expecting an addition before your nuptials. There is nothing more powerful than heirs when it comes to forming lasting treaties.”
My mother’s voice rings out, laced with curiosity. “You chose not to bring Anita here, King Vin?”
A sinister darkness sweeps over his face briefly. “Matrimonial struggles. Reassure yourself, My Queen, she is being suitably disciplined for her misdeeds, that I can assure you.”
My mother’s expression hardens at his words and Carina drops her gaze to her lap, a feeling of unease filling the room. I want to probe deeper into the underlying tension between them, but keep silent, knowing now is not the time. Vin stands to signal it is getting late.
“It is late indeed. You all must be tired from such a day. Let us continue our talks tomorrow morning,” he declares in a booming voice as he gestures for a servant to show him to his quarters.
“Yes, we have much to discuss. We can chat after Adina goes into town?” my father suggests, looking at my mother.
“You’re leaving in the morning?” I ask my mother, staring at her in confusion.
She nods. “Yes, I have my usual hair appointment tomorrow. Carina, you’re welcome to join me, if you’d like.”
Carina smiles politely. “Yes, I would very much like that.”
“Good, bring your handmaiden, she can carry our bags; we might do a bit of shopping afterward,” my mother says, and I cut my gaze across to my mother who smiles politely.
As everyone begins to disperse, the weight of the impending discussions settles on my shoulders, and I clench my teeth. Carina rises to her feet, staring toward where her father wandered off to with my parents. “Are you alright?” I ask Carina, and she glances back at me, nodding.
She peers up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “I… I don’t know. This is all happening so fast. And the way that guard looked at me…”
I squeeze her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry about him. He won’t bother you again, not here at least. Have you had issues with your father’s guard before?” I ask her, and she tenses.
“We should get to bed,” she whispers, wandering off, and I rise to my feet. I want to go back to Sienna, but with Carina’s father under my roof, I know I must keep up the façade of a happy husband.
As we make our way back to our room, I can’t shake off the feeling of unease that lingers within me. I brush away these thoughts, forcing myself to focus on the present. Carina is quiet and subdued, the only sound that fills the corridors is the soft rustle of our clothes and the faint echo of our footsteps. When we reach our room, I close the door behind us and turn to face her.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask, searching her eyes for any sign of discomfort.
Carina slips out of my grasp, moving toward the wardrobe to change into a nightgown. As I stand there, watching her, I can feel the tension between us growing.
Carina turns to me, her eyes searching for answers. “Your explanation?” I ask her, and she chews her lip then changes the subject.
“How is Sienna?” she asks.
“Fine, she tried to run, I forced her to mark me.”
“So, what happens now?” she asks.
I take a deep breath before answering her. “I don’t know,” I admit. “You can sign the divorce papers?” Carina rolls her eyes, bored with me constantly asking. “Exactly how long do you plan to keep this up?”
“As long as it takes until you realize I am not going anywhere,” she answers, and I growl, turning for the door. “You can’t leave, my father catches you sneaking off to her, you put her in danger. I know you don’t want that, just as I don’t want to be forced home.”
“And why is that, Carina, what happened on the drive here?”
“Nothing, my father is overbearing, you know that, pressuring me to get knocked up, solidify the alliances, the treaty and all that crap.” I curse. Yet something tells me she isn’t being completely honest, she was scared when she arrived, now she seems more herself.
I cross the room in a few strides, pulling Carina toward me. “Tell me the truth,” I demand, my eyes burning with intensity.
She stares up at me, her eyes flickering nervously. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t lie to me, Carina,” I growl, my grip tightening around her arms. “What happened on the drive here?”
Carina stands at that moment, an eternity stretching out between us. I can make out her harsh breathing and the rustle of her clothes as she pulls away from me. “Nothing, Xandros,” she spits, her voice laden with venom. Fury burns in her eyes, like embers ready to consume.
I reach for her arm, and she recoils like a feral cat. “We’ve been together two years, Carina,” I plead. “I know you’re being forced into this. If it’s your father, I can protect you.”
