Page 55 of Master of Storms
“A lovers’ tiff. And the past is between the pair of us. Don’t believe all the whispers, Draco.”
He smiled, clearly disbelieving her. “TheSaduand theZilittushare similar territory. Politically, a realignment between our courts would be more valuable to both of us. As I said, theZilittuhave caused past debts, and I would clear them.”
“That sounds a little too honorable for aZilittuking.”
There was danger written all over him as he leaned toward her. “If it makes you feel better, I killed my father in order to take his throne. I’m not honorable, Solveig. I am merely practical. For centuries we have lived alone, waging wars with brutal efficacy and isolating ourselves. TheZilittuare strong enough to ward off any intruder, but the isolation weakens us. I wish to reenter thedrekiworld, and to do that I need an alliance.”
“You need a consort who grants you those ties.”
“Yes.”
This time, it was her turn to smile. “The problem is, I need a consort too. And I doubt you’d bend knee before my throne and agree to surrender all familial ties to your own clan.” Every inch of her enjoyed the sudden flare of shock in his eyes. “Or did you think me unambitious too?”
Heat smoldered behind the icy gray of his eyes. “An ambitious queen…. If you think to put me off, then know that you’ve failed. Indeed, quite the opposite.”
He’d been eyeing her as the key to a political battle. A means to an end.
She knew she was no true beauty, so it wasn’t entirely surprising. Andromeda was so stunningly gorgeous that it had to have been something else. “I’m not a game to be won.”
“No?” He glanced down at the hand pushing at his chest, his voice roughening. “Everything is a game to be won.”
“Even Andromeda?”
“What do you mean?”
Solveig pushed past him with a laugh. “I mean that I find the timing of events interesting…. A match is struck between the Ethiopian clan and theZilittu. A daughter in exchange for an antidote. Except, you weren’t the heir then, were you, Draco? Your brother was. Scorpius was always your father’s favourite. And he was promised a queen. And though I don’t have a full transcript of events, it seems your queen arrived, your father was overthrown, and your twin was exiled all within the same month.” Solveig tapped a finger against her lips. “I’ve been watching tonight. Andromeda allows you to take her hand, though she swiftly disengages. She’s exquisitely polite. She sits at your side. She smiles at you with her mouth—and never her eyes—but she’s angry with you. Did you steal her from your brother?” She saw the flare of heat in his eyes, swiftly concealed. “Or no, the real question is: Does she want your brother, and not you? Have you finally realized that your queen will have none of you? And here I am, a distraction. A means to hurt her back. It’s almost a little insulting, Draco.”
He watched her angrily, and she thought for a moment that she might have to use the knife, after all.
“Here you are,” he said coldly. “A woman who doesn’t wear her mate’s scent on her skin. A woman who sits beside him with her knees tightly crossed, and her wineglass between them. A woman who looks like she wants to bite her mate’s fingers should he dare touch her, and then glances after him longingly once she’s scared him away. You’re not the only one watching, Solveig. You’re not the only one who notices the distance between an allegedly mated couple.” He prowled toward her. “You and I are alike—”
“Too alike.”
He ignored her. “We both want what we can’t have. So why not take what will give us both power?”
“Because, if I considered your proposition, I can’t help thinking that one day I would have to murder you in your sleep, and I don’t think that suits your ambitions, at all. Though it might suit mine. You do have a pretty crown, and I like collecting crowns. I can add it to my hoard, and think fondly of the foolish king who thought to conquer me.”
A rare, genuine smile broke over his face as he captured her wrist. “If anything, you’re only convincing me of my pursuit.”
“Go back to your consort,” she challenged. “And I will go back to mine.”
“If Marduk was truly yours,” Draco whispered, “then it wouldn’t matter how long it had been since you’d shared a bed. His scent would mark your skin.”
Their eyes met.
“But he doesn’t share your bed, does he? He hasn’t touched you, has he? But he wants to. I know that look, Solveig.”
“I think you’ve seen it in the mirror,” she countered, “because you may claim the alliance between yourself and Andromeda is not to either of your satisfaction, but you still look at her, Draco.”
Footsteps echoed up the stairwell.
Marduk appeared at the top of the stairs.
Only… she’d never seen him look like this before.
Gone was the golden prince. The charmer. The constant smile that mocked her.
In its place was adrekiprince whose shoulders blotted out the torchlight behind him. Marduk paused as he took in the scene, though there was no hesitance in his eyes, but something coldly vicious. “Am I interrupting something?”
