Page 156

“When Thistle agreed to my proposal and moved here, I assigned Jaelis as one of her guards.” He finished his glass and refilled it, moving to do the same with mine but I covered the top and shook my head. He shrugged and put the bottle back on the table. “I should have seen the signs—the lingering glances, the ‘accidental’ touches, the flushed cheeks…”

I wondered if my mom had ever felt anything for Nivardi, or if she’d just agreed to the marriage because it got her out of Alaroth’s reach. God, I wished she was still alive. Now that I knew the truth of our family, she could have finally told me everything she’d lied or been cagey about growing up.

But Ezra had taken her away from me.

A hand on my knee brought me back, and my eyes widened as Nivardi leaned closer towards me, wetting his lips. “Moons, you look so much like her…”

“Nivardi,” I said, backing up and removing his hand from me. “You seem like a decent guy, but I have a pack, you have a wife, and for some reason the king wants to marry me, and he doesn’t seem like he’d be too thrilled if you kissed me.”

Nivardi hung his head and retreated. “I know, I apologize. I think part of me wants to try anyway so the king will find out. He’d at least put me out of my misery.”

Oof, that was sad. “Your daughters seem really nice, at least.”

“Ah yes,mydaughters,” he chuckled darkly.

I raised an eyebrow but he didn’t elaborate. “You were right, before. You should go before he gets angry. I’d hate to seem him lash out at you again.”

I got up, turning to leave, but whipped around and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before hurrying out. It probably hadn’t been the best idea, but damn, I just felt sorry for the guy.

I made my way quietly back up the stairs towards the room I was sharing with Alaroth, my fingers crossed he’d already be asleep andwouldn’t try anything tonight. I still needed to check in with my pack, and make sure they were far away from the haven they’d visited after they’d first arrived.

I wondered what the king and Nivardi had meant about getting the other shifters back in line. Because if they needed that many soldiers…

Oh god, I’d been so worried about my own pack I hadn’t thought it through. They were probably going to hurt them, maybe even kill some of them.

Now Ireallyneeded to talk to my pack, but as I got closer to my room, I became distracted by a noise coming through the door. A rhythmic banging, soft moaning…

I opened it a crack, to find Sarai bent over the bed, mewling dramatically as Alaroth took her from behind.

“Yes, Your Majesty, right there! Don’t stop!”

There was a slight pause in Alaroth’s thrusting as he sensed my presence, but he didn’t turn around to acknowledge me. He started up again, harder and faster. “Louder, tell everyone who is making you come tonight.”

“You, my king! Your cock is…AH!”

Yikes, how embarrassing for them. Did he really think this was going to make me jealous somehow? Like watching him rail our hostess was going to awaken some possessive need in me? Seriously, I couldn’t have made it more obvious that I didn’t want to sleep with or marry the guy.

I pulled the door back shut with a quiet click.

Poor Nivardi. Now I knew what he meant by “his” daughters. It made sense with all the resentment between him and Sarai, but still.

Chewing on my lip, I thought through my options. I wasn’t sure whether Alaroth had expected me to come bursting in and cause a huge scene, or hide somewhere and cry, but considering he hadn’t come to look for me yet, I could assume it was the latter.

Where could I go, then? I didn’t exactly want to go bunk with Ezra and Canna, because fuck Ezra, anyway, but also as newly bonded mates they were likely doing… ew, didn’t want to think about it.

I started looking for someone to ask about a spare room, and then another realization dawned on me.

I was unguarded.

My heart pounded, and I moved as quietly down the hall as I could. Were there guards outside? Could I get to the stables and steal an alderbeast?

I had to think quickly, the silver bracelet burning around my wrist to keep my wolf in check.

Tiptoeing down the stairs, I started looking for the exit when I ran right back into Nivardi. His pale skin was flushed from the wine, and he looked surprised to see me. “Oh, Marlowe. Did you forget where your room was? I can escort you.”

Shit.

“Um, no, that’s okay. The king was sleeping, and I realized I wasn’t quite tired yet, so I wanted to stretch my legs. I was on that alderbeast for so long today, and I’m feeling a little tight.”