Page 94

“That is—”

Her father’s voice cut off abruptly, and Ria tore her gaze away from his sudden panic to see Feref lowering his hand, a glow of magic still fading from his fingers. It seemed the chamberlain had other talents useful to the kings. A gasping sound returned her attention to her father, whose hands now gripped this throat as he coughed.

Toren stepped down from the dais. “You can breathe, as all here know. It’s a common enough spell to use on unruly criminals. Now. For the harm you have done our wife and have threatened upon her children, who will beourchildren, you will spend the remainder of your life in the dungeon. Your assets have already been forfeited to Ria Orindl, Duchess of Nevial and Royal Consort. We will reconsider your punishment once per century. Know that the final decision will be in Lady Ria’s hands. If unexpected harm falls upon her, the same will be visited upon you.”

Ria’s breath caught. Toren hadn’t forced the decision upon her now, when she hadn’t had time to process it all, but in a hundred years’ time, he would grant her the right to determine her father’s fate. It was a stunning show of favor, for any criminal bad enough to be brought before the kings was always and forever judged by them.

The low hum and hiss of whispers flowed inevitably from the crowd, too careful and faint to draw the kings’ censure. Neither Toren nor Mehl showed signs of hearing, though surely, they’d anticipated the rumors the announcement would cause. Gods above.

It was nearly as much of a spectacle as a wedding announcement.

* * *

Mehl stifled a low curse.

Had Toren intended to effectively announce their marriage, or had it been a slip of the tongue?For the harm you have done our wife…Fuck. The declaration was far from a formal state wedding, the kind that would crown Ria queen, but the implications would be perfectly clear—she should be considered such in all but strictest formality.

A quick peek at Ria’s face showed fear blended with contemplation as she watched her father being led away. No signs of anger, which meant she hadn’t noticed Toren’s slip. If accident it had been. Annoyance rose within Mehl until he nearly growled. But he could say or do nothing now.

Toren returned to the dais, his unhappiness palpable. “That is the second case of assault and abuse I have judged this day. See that this does not become a trend, lest the punishments become harsher. Also, I am given to understand that in the latter case, the victim was dismissed by the authorities when she sought aid. I suggest each noble investigate their underlings for any hint of negligence.”

With that pointed pronouncement, Toren gestured toward Feref, who announced the end of the morning court. It was an unusual action, considering Mehl wasn’t with him on the dais, but he understood why. Toren hadn’t wanted Ria to feel unprotected, but he also hadn’t broken his promise not to force her onto the dais.

Oh yes, calling Ria wife had been an accident. If it had been otherwise, Toren would have expected both of them to join him. Unfortunately, they would still have to make an awkward and obvious exit. By law and custom, the courtiers wouldn’t leave until both kings had departed, nor would they stand with Mehl off the dais.

He could have given them leave to rise, but it would be far quicker to sweep Ria away first.“Shall we go?”he sent.

Ria blinked up at him in surprise.“Y-yes.”

As they slipped around the dais and headed toward the back exit, he smiled.“Does speaking mind-to-mind with me bother you?”

“No,”she replied at once.“It’s merely that Toren is most likely to do it.”

The soft tone of her mental voice left him with no doubt—she truly hadn’t noticed the slip.

Sudden fear squeezed his heart. Would she sever the link when she did?

Chapter43

From the Heart

Toren’s anger burned so hot that he was halfway to his office before he realized he’d forgotten to remove his formal overrobe before exiting the antechamber. Again. So once more, they met startled gazes, curious stares, and excessively long bows and curtsies as they walked. He had to get a handle on himself. Too much turmoil, no matter how minor, would bring his people fear.

A few—quite a few—deep breaths later, he’d regained some semblance of control.

As soon as he entered the office, Toren headed for one of the chairs in the corner. He could drape his overrobe there, and if Feref didn’t get by before the scribe arrived, the robe might go unnoted. Even if it didn’t, it would at least be out of the way. And unwrinkled, which would please Ria.

He spun to face Mehl and Ria, who’d trailed him in. “I don’t suppose one of you would help me with this?”

Usually, Mehl would have offered to do it at once, but he simply stared at Toren instead. Was Mehl angry? His lips made a thin, annoyed line, and his narrowed eyes edged perilously close to a glare. But why? What could Toren have done?

As Ria glanced between them, a frown formed on her brow. “I supposeIcould. Is there something special that needs to be done? I’ve seen you remove your overrobe by yourself before, so I’m not sure what’s different about this one.”

“I didn’t care about the state of the clothing inthosecircumstances.” Toren couldn’t stop a small but wicked smile from taking shape. “Alas, I’ll have matters of state after the midday meal that will require court clothing. Less appealing than ravishing the both of you, but necessary nonetheless.”

Though Ria flushed, her eyes said it was more desire than embarrassment. “I see.”

But while she was helping him remove the heavily embroidered robe without disturbing his crown, Toren kept stealing glances at Mehl. Oh yes, his husband was absolutely upset. The question was…why? The more Toren’s anger drained away, the stronger Mehl’s appeared to grow.