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20

Arrik

It was ironic that the safest place for his betrothed was a man-eating fish infested cell.

Arrik entered his bed chamber. It was a huge rectangle room with a massive four poster bed on the left bracketed by two side tables and a large gilded mirror. To the right sat a set of chairs that bracketed the fireplace and his weapons. It was sparse, but it was the way he liked it. It wasn’t as if he really stayed here.

The far end of the room was open to the outdoors, only supported by large marble columns. Sheer white curtains hung from the ceiling that gave the impression of privacy. It was a farce. Arrik never could sleep a wink in the room. It was too exposed.

He passed through the room and pushed through the gauzy curtains, entering the courtyard filled with leafy plants. Arrik shoved them aside until he reached the heated bathing pool in the middle. Shane and Ronan stood beside the pool waiting for him.

Ronan—the normally jovial redhead—stared at him with pity. Arrik held his hand up before his friend could utter a word. “There’s nothing to be done about it.”

Shane scowled and crossed his arms. “Another wife?”

Arrik glared at his second in command. “How could I refuse? Soren had already made up his mind. He knew I did not wish to wed again which is exactly why he made the announcement in public.”

“Do you think he knows what we’re up to?” Shane asked.

“It’s hard to know.” Arrik pushed his braids back from his face. “I’ve done all that he’s asked of me. He’s arrogant enough to believe that I worship the ground he walks on but intelligent enough to know that I could also pose a threat if not checked.”

“The wild lass from Lorne is how he plans to control you,” his second supplied.

Ronan snorted. “That’s if she lives long enough.” Arrik shot a glare at his friend. Ronan scowled and held his hands up. “Everyone was thinking it, but I just said it out loud. She has a target painted on her back now and she doesn’t even know it.”

Shane snorted. “That woman knows she’s deep in the enemy’s lair. She’s not stupid, but she is a liability. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and kill you, Arrik.”

That made him smile. He liked a woman with a feisty spirit. His smile disappeared. But would it be enough to help her survive? He doubted it. “The king has granted me power whether he intended to do so or not. The isles control trade, the diamonds, and dragons.”

“The people won’t take kindly to your rulership,” Shane advised.

“True, but if I were to return with the heir…it may work to our favor.”

Ronan scrubbed a hand over his beard. “Hypothetically, that could work, but only if she’s not assassinated. At this moment, she could have someone coming for her.”

“I placed trustworthy men over her,” Arrik replied. “No one will get to her this night, but she will need constant protection.”

“Invisible protection,” Shane added. “Any special treatment toward her will be noticed and stir more trouble. You can’t show her any favor.”

Arrik chuckled. “When have I ever fallen for a woman? I have one goal.”

Shane studied him and nodded. “Then we are agreed. I will arrange for invisible protectors to follow the girl. No one will know they are there.” He strode to Arrik’s side and clasped his shoulder. “I know you don’t want this, but it is in our favor.”

He nodded as his second disappeared through the plants.

Ronan pulled a flask from his vest and held it out to him. “Shall we celebrate your last night as an unmarried man?”

Arrik took it from him and uncapped the spirits. “To my fourth marriage. May it not end in blood and guilt.”

21

Wren

There was far too little time between the dragon disappearing into the dark water and several Verlantian warriors returning to the prison to collect Wren the next morning.

For her wedding.

For her doom.