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“None of this is a surprise, since I have already introduced Lady Ria and announced our betrothal last night. But all new nobles deserve an official presentation to court, just as each of your families were given upon attaining your rank.” Toren swept a fierce look across the gathered crowd. “I know very well how you regard a merchant joining your ranks, but I would remind you of your own origins.”

Mehl released a tiny, satisfied huff beside him, and Toren’s tension eased a touch.

“From the moment the first Eyamiri king established this kingdom, all noble houses were chosen based on honor, dedication, and skill. Your own ancestors were warriors, diplomats, and tradespeople who fought free of two wretched empires to build the magic of this place.” That reminder earned more than one averted gaze. “As such, snobbery will not be tolerated in this court. I trust you will welcome Lady Ria with the same enthusiasm my ancestors did yours.”

Fortunately, Mehl took over, then, for Toren was tempted to deliver a deeper, more scathing history lesson. “It is our great honor that Lady Ria accepted our proposal, though we already have a link born of truest affection. From this day forward, may we all hail Lady Ria Orindl, Duchess of Nevial and Princess Presumptive.”

“All hail Lady Ria Orindl,” the courtiers intoned, some more enthusiastically than others.

Once Ria had resumed her previous spot, Toren sent her a slight smile. Her eyes widened in surprise before pleasure slipped in, and that hint of happiness eased his anger and returned his energy level to something far more pleasant. As much as his energy ever was, at any rate.

He and Mehl sat, and court continued in all its monotony. But Toren didn’t forget the reactions he’d seen. With Mehl’s help, Toren either denied or gave less favor to requests made by those who’d shown Ria dishonor. It wouldn’t take long for the courtiers to recognize that he’d meant what he’d said.

Nobility served a purpose, and they would do well to remember it.

Chapter53

The Reception

As Feref intoned the final few announcements, Mehl studied Ria. She’d held up well enough during the awkwardness of a court presentation, but as the time neared for the reception, signs of strain bracketed her lips and stiffened her posture. His stomach turned. The plan had been to meet her at the reception after his and Toren’s usual exit, but that was intolerable. He couldn’t leave her to fight her way out of this ravenous crowd alone.

Especially not after Toren’s rebuke of the nobles. Though well-deserved, it might heighten tensions rather than ease them. Mehl should know—he’d once borne much the same. Now, even those who hated Ria would hurry forward to show their deference, no matter how fake that respect happened to be. It would be difficult for a newcomer to the court to identify the genuine amidst the dross.

Toren’s mind brushed his.“We’ll escort her out.”

Mehl hid a smile.“Was my worry so obvious, or were you concerned, too?”

“Both, though you hide your feelings well enough from the others.”

Despite the warmth in Toren’s mental voice, he held his shielding so tight and his demeanor so reserved that he gave off a definite sense of coldness. Mehl studied him out of the corner of his eye. His husband was worried about something, enough that his energy vibrated with restless urgency beneath the careful shields. Had the nobles upset him so badly?

Mehl didn’t have time to ask. The announcements concluded, and as usual, he followed Toren in standing. As the two of them headed toward Ria, the courtiers sank to their knees, and the guards nearest the dais scrambled to adjust to the sudden change in plans. Mehl felt a twinge of sympathy for the frustration hidden in the warriors’ brusque movements, though they were too well-trained to show their displeasure on their faces.

He generally tried not to burden his former colleagues, but for Ria, he would do it.

This time, Mehl offered her his arm, and after the slightest hesitation, she took it. Then they strolled from the throne room with their heads held high, Ryssa trailing behind. Stares from the boldest courtiers accompanied them all the way through the doors, but Mehl was accustomed to that. All that mattered was offering support to their wife.

They were nearly to their destination before Ria quirked a brow at him. “I do not recall this being part of the plan.”

“Because it wasn’t,” Mehl replied, unrepentant.

A guard opened the doors to the secondary throne room, and they followed Toren through. This was where they’d first claimed Ria, so it had seemed a fitting place to host the reception. It was yet another sign of their support, too. No others had been allowed to use this room, not since Mehl’s presentation after his and Toren’s engagement.

At the sight of the wooden thrones at the far end, Mehl found himself doubly glad that they’d escorted Ria instead of slipping over through the back corridors before she and the other nobles arrived. How could he have sat on that throne beside his husband without Ria there to complete them?

Impossible.

“I find this room wouldn’t be the same without you in it,” he murmured in her ear. “I’ll surely never think of it the same way again.”

A pink flush colored her cheeks. “Behave.”

Beneath the windows, tables had been covered with an abundance of refreshments, though Mehl thought of them more as props. Plates and cups held as polite shields, the food and drink barely consumed in the process. What kind of etiquette demanded such waste? He sighed to himself. At least the untouched food would be given to the neediest in the city after the reception. Leftovers never went into the trash bin here.

Toren had long insisted on such—one of the many reasons Mehl loved him.

Mehl had to release Ria to take his seat. But as soon as he settled into his throne, his cock went hard with the memory of the last time he’d sat in this room. He’d had Ria on his lap at first, his fingers bringing her to—No.Not the line of thought to follow right now.

Though she stepped back to stand beside Ryssa, who seemed intent on studying the refreshment tables, Ria’s gaze darted to his obvious arousal. Her eyes went wide—then hot. Her lips parted, and he groaned. He could still feel the slick heat of her mouth working him and see the fire lighting Toren’s expression as he’d claimed her from behind.