Page 65 of Prize for the King
Arvi’s shoulders stiffen, and he turns slowly, a comically aghast expression on his face.
“Might as well explain now,” Raduna mutters, rocking me from side to side as if I’m a baby in need of soothing.
“You told Magnar when you got drunk,” Arvi says, releasing a heavy breath. He braces himself and looks up, his eyes filled with defiance. “Look, wewantto know these things, and not just when you’re too sloshed on wine to think straight. I get that you need time, everyone keeps telling me, but frankly,laruna, I think you’re ready. You stabbed a man who tried to take you away. That makes it pretty fucking obvious you want to be here. With us.”
He watches me, his chin raised in a challenge. I nod. “Yes. As it turns out, I want to be here. What else did I say that night?”
“You said your horse was whipped to death to punish you,” Arvi says, voice rising angrily with every word, eyes cold. “I want the names of those who did it, too, if they are still alive. Best of all, you seemed to suffer under the delusion that you’re stupid and ugly, which I’d love to fuck out of you when you finally let me.”
“Arvi!” Raduna’s voice rises in a threat.
But Arvi’s gone, stomping down the corridor to the door at the end. He throws it open and performs a mocking bow, showing us in. Then he shoves past Raduna, muttering under his breath.
“I’ll check with the guards.”
I regain my voice, my body tingling all over with something between fear and fascination.
“Why… Why is he so angry?”
Raduna clears his throat, carrying me into the candle-lit room, which turns out to be clean and spacious, the tall, wide bed made with crisp green sheets. He lets me to my feet carefully and sits on the bed, bringing our faces almost level.
“Arvi’s angry about many things. In this case, I suspect the secrecy bothered him. Magnar shared your confessions but forbade us from addressing them, wanting you to tell us on your own when you were sober. Arvi disagreed. As you heard, he desperately wants those names. All the castle staff that were tasked with caring for you are currently locked in Farneer’s dungeons and await punishment once you name the culprits.”
I gape at him, my hands clasped at my bosom. “What—in the dungeons?Allof them? But some were kind! Or at least, not cruel. I wish you’d told me earlier!”
Raduna nods. “Magnar is trying his best, as are we, my queen. This is a complicated situation, and the last thing we want is to hurt you. From what I understand, you’ve suffered enough already.”
He motions me to his lap, and I flinch away, my heart in my throat.No.They may bathe me, mount me, touch between my legs—that I don’t mind. ButI’ll never sit in a man’s lap unless he’s my husband.
Raduna frowns, searching my face, and I turn away, my fists clenched as I fight to suppress the slimy nausea in my stomach. “It’s been a long day,” I say when my voice is under control. “I gather this is my room.”
“I will stay here tonight,” Raduna says. “Please consider letting Arvi in, as well, once he cools down. He’ll be hurt if you don’t.”
I take a bracing breath, stiffen my spine, and turn, nodding. “Of course. I don’t mind what he said. Indeed, I’m happy to know how I behaved.”
Raduna shakes his head, eyes narrowing. “Getting drunk when you don’t know the potency of your drink can happen. You did nothing worthy of reproach.”
I groan, pressing my hands to my forehead. My control’s worn thin tonight. I’m exhausted and on edge after everything that happened. Arvi’s words still echo in my head—fuck it out of you—and I begin to pace, restless energy filling my limbs.
“But didn’t I? A princess should always be cheerful. She should never complain and throw herself pity parties. She owes endless gratitude to those who brought her up, doing their utmost to keep her from shaming her father and kingdom!”
I stop in front of Raduna, my teeth clenched, my body vibrating with anger. “And now you tell me I did nothing worthy of reproach!”
He watches me for a moment, eyes calm, face serious. I breathe out the last of my anger, feeling stupid at my outburst. I was sent to my cellar for less.
“You got drunk,” Raduna says at last. “And you shared some painful memories with your husband. He was glad to hear them, Caliane. He wants to know you, but he keeps his distance so as not to overwhelm you. Do you know what Magnar would like best? To lock himself in a room with you and drag those names out of you, one by one, and then have you cry on his shoulder until all your sadness was spent once and for all. That’s what he wants, but he’s convinced you’d hate it.”
I scoff. “He’s right! Seems like a horrible pastime. It would be a miserable day for us both.”
Raduna bares his sharp teeth, the scar on his lower cheek stretching with the widest grin he’s given me yet. “Don’t you see? He’d like to be miserable with you, because misery shared is misery halved, my queen. Each of us wants to bear your burdens. We’ve waited a long time for this privilege.”
There’s a sharp knock on the door, Arvi’s petulant voice coming through. “May I come in or should I stay out here?”
I march to the door and throw it open, glaring at him. “Come. Is there anything else everyone’s been hiding from me? Tell me now.”
Arvi’s sullen face brightens as he strides in, closing the door behind him. “Only that we’re all crazy with lust for our beautiful queen after years of not being able to fuck. Magnar keeps saying not to get our hopes up, which is rich coming from him. I know hishopesare way up every time he looks at you.”
Raduna shakes his head with a reproachful sigh, but Arvi shrugs.
