Page 55 of The Beast King's Bride

14

ASH

“I want to walk in the gardens.” I’m looking out of the window of my room at the trees and rosebushes, the small pool beyond.

“My lady, I’m not sure that is a good idea,” Jassin says, laying out my breakfast.

“Why? I thought you said that the monsters only wake up at night.” I turn to face him. “Unless you mean that sark in the bathhouse isn’t the only one awake during the day?”

“No, I…” He frowns as he sets everything on the table. “I didn’t mean that. The king assured me that it was an aberration.”

“But you don’t believe him.”

“The king wouldn’t lie,” he says, still frowning.

No, he only finds ways around the truth.

“I haven’t seen the king in two days. Is he all right?”

“Yes, my lady. Very busy, is all. The Empress has demanded a grand ball and the king has to agree and sign on the preparations and invites, aside from his usual duties reviving the land and hunting monsters.”

“A ball? In the middle of this plague? Is she serious? Why would she demand a ball of all things?”

“She knows that you’re here so she wants to meet you.”

“Why?”

“To gauge how grave a danger you represent.”

“You’re not talking about my non-existent magic.”

He shakes his head.

“She wants to see if I’ll help Talen shake off the curse. If I’m willing. If… I like him.”

Jassin nods. “Do you?”

“He’s all right when he’s not locking me up.”

Jassin grins. “You seemed to like him a lot last time you saw him.”

My face warms as I remember that kiss. “Discretion is a trait highly valued in servants, you know. You should try it.”

He only grins some more.

“You don’t act like a servant,” I say.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because I’ve been a servant. I am a servant. I know the deep fear that grips you when your betters walk by, when they order you about, when they get bored and wait for a misstep to kick you where it hurts, watch you roll in pain. That panic that sends you running, cowering, bowing to the ground, hoping to avoid their wrath.”

“But his majesty isn’t like that.”

“And you’re not a servant, Jassin.”

He seems to be thinking. “No,” he finally says, “you’re right, I’m not. I’m a baron’s son. Talen—the king—and I grew up together in an estate in the south.”

“And with everyone abandoning him, you decided to stay by his side.”

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