Page 25 of The Fae Kings' Bargain

After a brief hesitation, Ria strode through the door, Mehl and Toren following. They were barely inside before she spun around to face them. “I need to retrieve my belongings.”

“I will send someone to do so,” Mehl replied.

She shook her head. “I want to go myself. I have to sort through not only my own things but also the shop’s goods. We have a few outstanding orders that need attending, and there’s a fortune in fabric and trimmings that need to be packed with care.”

“With the threat of my brother hanging over us?” Toren frowned. “I do not like it.”

Neither did Mehl. However, they couldn’t keep Ria to themselves. She had the right to handle the disposition of her own belongings, and thanks to Toren’s decree, the tailor’s shop was now her responsibility entirely. She wouldn’t let that go easily—nor should she.

“It is her business now, Tor,” Mehl pointed out. “And there should be little danger so close to the palace. But I’ll send several guards along with the servants just in case.”

Although Toren’s jaw clenched, his energy didn’t surge. A good sign. Then Toren marched over to Ria and placed his hand over her stomach. “Take care to remember that you may even now be carrying our child. My heir. But more than that,youare ours. You will ensure your own well-being accordingly.”

Her lips parted, and her eyes widened. If she’d formulated a response, Toren didn’t allow her time to give it. He spun on his heel and strode from the room, a fierce expression on his face. Mehl sighed. Ever since his parents’ death, Toren had struggled, both with attachment and fear of loss. It was a double-edged sword, one that could only be blunted but never dispersed.

“He worries,” Mehl simply said.

Ria gave a shaky nod. “So I see.”

He needed to change clothes and provide Feref instructions for Ria’s trip into the city, but as Mehl bid her farewell and headed toward his and Toren’s room, he hesitated. His husband’s magic had appeared to be under control, but his temper wouldn’t be. If that hadn’t cooled… Well. There was a fair chance they would be late for their own luncheon, after all.

* * *

Ria’s exitfrom the castle was far less subtle than her entrance had been this morning. How could it not be? In the time she’d taken to freshen up in the bathing room, Feref had gathered at least fifteen servants, and they’d barely reached the end of the royal wing before four guards, fully armed, had flanked her. If she’d thought people stared before, that was nothing compared to walking through the palace with such a large entourage. The only thing that might have garnered more attention was the kings’ presence.

At least her dress and hair were in order again. There were still whispers and sly looks from the courtiers lingering in the halls, but she received far fewer knowing smirks. Not that she could blame them for those after she’d seen herself in the mirror. She’d never looked so thoroughly tumbled—but she’d never been with more than one partner, either.

As soon as she stepped foot out of the palace gates, another guard melted from the shadows and strode forward, taking position in front of her. Ria’s eyebrows knitted. Was there some imminent, direct threat that she knew nothing about? There’d been no announcement about the breeding contract, so there was no reason for anyone to target her.

Not that they wouldneedan announcement after this. First, Toren had mentioned in front of the entire court that she was considering a breeding alliance, and then she’d been seen looking decidedly disheveled on the way to the kings’ office. And now…now she had an honor guard and team of servants just for a trip to her own home.

The reason had to be obvious.

As they advanced into the trade area where many of the nobles shopped and almost everyone Ria knew lived, she had to contend with more than courtiers. Business stopped as she neared, and now noble and commoner alike gaped at her. Although her skin heated with a blush, Ria held her head high and continued her unreasonably slow progress toward the shop. Had it been anyone else causing everyone to freeze like statues, Ria might have laughed at the scene.

Only Enry shook off his surprise quickly enough to hurry toward her, though he halted a couple of paces away when the nearest guard drew his sword partly from its sheath in warning. “Ria!” Enry called.

“He’s a friend,” Ria said, her words nearly tangling in their haste.

The lead guard’s expression hardened. “The High King ordered us to see you safe at all costs.”

“I’m certain he didn’t mean I couldn’t speak to anyone,” Ria argued. “Toren is hardly so thoughtless as that.”

An indrawn breath sounded behind her, and the guard’s eyes widened. It took her a moment to realize why—her casual use of the High King’s name. Gods above. Less than a day had passed since she’d met the kings, but in a strange way, they felt more familiar to her than the shopkeepers currently gawking at her, though she’d known the latter all her life. At some point this day, she’d started to see the kings as men first and royalty second.

Ria scoffed at herself.Maybe when you had them inside your body?

“Speak to her quickly,” the guard said, catching her attention again.

Fear and worry filled Enry’s eyes. “Are you well, Ria? Is this…? Did I cause you trouble?”

Oh, no. Poor Enry must think the herbs he’d given her had brought her grief. Truthfully, they almost had, but it wouldn’t have been his fault. “I’m fine. My father’s perfidy was discovered, and I’m safe.”

“But you’re being escorted through the streets by…” Enry’s voice trailed off as he took in the line of servants behind her. “I’m not sure what to make of this. Do you need aid?”

Ria smiled. “No. They are helping me sort through the shop. That’s all.”

Enry opened his mouth, probably to ask another question, but the guard interrupted. “We should go before His Majesty grows worried, Lady Ria.”

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