Page 42 of Splintered Shadow
“You suggest we continue to hide at Summerhall?”
“That is the sensible option. If knowledge of your human leaks, I can only do so much to control the situation,” Baris said, exhaustion in his voice. “I could say her appearance is a blessing, a sign from the fates that we are on the correct path, but there are those on the council who will demand that a gift from the fates be married into the royal family. They will insist that no one less than the king will do.”
Vekele knew exactly which councilors were traditionalists and would demand exactly that. “The treaty—”
Baris spoke over him. “Will not be signed until after the wedding. One unexpectedgift from the fatescan break the peace.”
Sarah’s posture stiffened, listening to their conversation.
Royal guards roamed the property. Vekele could not see them, but Baris would not have left the palace without at least two.
“How many know about her now? Us, your two guards, and the medic. Five. We can remain here for a week,” Vekele said.
“And the person who delivers your supplies? Hikers in the forest? Media curious about the reclusive prince?” Baris listed people Vekele had not considered.
“They must be desperate for a story to stalk me.”
“Too many people already know about her, and the potential for her discovery grows every day.” Baris ran his hands through his hair.
His karu landed on his shoulder. Baris scratched behind the karu’s head, then the karu preened his hair. As they seemed to be deep in conversation, Vekele did not disturb them. He gently tested his bond with Pitch, who supervised Ghost because he was a hatchling and certain to tumble out of the nest without her guidance.
Baris sighed. “We need to take control of this. The best way to do that is to bring her to court while we still control the story. Even if we plan it carefully, the treaty can still fall apart.”
A valid point, but Vekele did not want to bring Sarah to the palace for a number of reasons. Parties opposed to the treaty would use her as a tool to break the peace. Mostly, Vekele did not want to share her. Sarah was his. His discovery. His human.
Sarah walked over, giving up the pretense that she had not overheard their discussion. He scowled. She raised her brows. “What? I can’t be a part of the conversation that’s about me? Let’s just pretend that you made a weak argument about classified intel or something, and I ignore it. Agreed?”
Vekele tossed a glance to Baris. “It is faster if you agree now. She will not be deterred.”
“So the big issue is keeping me a secret?” she asked, barely pausing for a response. “I think the solution is obvious: don’t. Bring me to court and present me to the king, you, Your Highness. Make me a spectacle.”
“Your Majesty, actually,” Baris said, amusement in his tone.
“We have a saying on Earth: three can keep a secret if two are dead.”
The king nodded. “Brutal but concise. We have a similar sentiment. The way to stop four tongues from wagging is to hold three in your hand.”
Sarah shivered. “That’s… effective.”
Could no one see the flaw in this plan?
Vekele could no longer hold his tongue. Sarah proposed exactly what Baris said they could not do. “If I present Sarah to you at court, Councilor Raelle will demand that you marry her. The royal mark? The bond with the void beast? No one is more traditionalist than her. Negotiations will collapse, and the last year will have been for nothing.”
Baris nodded in agreement. “Yes. Raelle is reliably traditionalist. She will demand a royal sacrifice, and I will sacrifice you.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. “Me? You want me to take Sarah as my mate?”
“For the peace of the kingdom,” Baris said, his tone perfectly calm, seemingly unaware he had handed Vekele everything he secretly wanted.
Sarah would be his.
Baris addressed Sarah. “I only ask for a marriage of convenience. Once the treaty is signed, I will dissolve the union and you will be released. In return for your cooperation, I will find a way to send you back to Earth. Its location is known, though we currently lack a vessel capable of making such a journey. I will task my best engineer to reopen the portal with your device.”
She barely paused to consider. “I’ll do it.”
Sarah
“Excuse us,” Vekele said, grabbing Sarah’s arm and marching her into the house. Once inside the bedroom—don’t look at the bed, don’t look at the bed!—he let go quickly, like touching her was a hardship.
