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“Do not lie. You tolerate me because you genuinely like my company,” Geryon quipped, and Bradwick eyed him with a squint. “Now, shut up about me and talk about that black-haired one. You have yet to speak of her.”

“Wyetta?” He brought his hand up to cup his chin, thinking for a long moment. “She may appear an all-rounder, but her want to take up arms against a Dragon was rather off-putting.” He lifted his hand while he laughed. “I’ll admit, it was hilarious that a woman would believe she could slay anything.”

“Yes, I found that interesting as well.”

He didn’t find it funny because she was a woman, but because she was human.Not even singular men can kill my kind with ease.Most had to bring an army.

“She could be troublesome if I were to war with the other kingdoms. Women who are interested in topics of war and politics can often be meddlesome during those times.” He shook his head while pushing some of the blond hair that had fallen from his ponytail back. “I am thankful Duke Halmonick’s daughters are wed. It relieves me that there is not a fifth one I will have to juggle.”

Then Bradwick looked over the back of his chair while clicking his fingers. “Servant, bring us some whiskey. I need to drink.”

“Do you not have dinner with the fair ladies this evening?”

Bradwick winced when he sat forward. “Ah, yes, I forgot about the banquet.”How can you forget something so simple?“It is fine. A few drinks will calm me. You will be joining us, yes?”

“You know I prefer to stay in the shadows and to eat alone.”

Geryon didn’t like to be a part of court conversations. He found the people boorish in comparison to his own kind.Then again, we often claw and bite each other.He just didn’t like the verbal backstabbing and gossip. His kind were often up front about their issues.

“But I will be there like I always am.”

It was unfortunate for Wyetta and Valerie that, because of their stroll, they were informed about dinner later than some. Since they were his important guests, all four of them were to be seated next to the king on a long banquet table.

Savannah and Charlotte had arrived before them and were already seated – on either side of where he was supposed to sit. He hadn’t arrived yet.

“It appears we will not be able to be seated together,” Valerie said with a sigh, their arms still interlinked like they had been for most of the afternoon.

She didn’t particularly care that she wouldn’t be seated next to the king, though.

“Well, that is rather disappointing.” Wyetta gave a cute pout. “Alas, I guess it cannot be helped. The early ravens get the best pickings.” A giggle fell from the woman. “It seems as though I have the power to torture you or save you, my dear.”

“Do what you want. It does not matter who my seating partner is.”

Wyetta looked her in the eye, as if she didn’t believe her. With her preferred seating partner not available, Valerie would tolerate whoever she sat with.

I have three sisters, and we often scratch at each other.She would handle them with the same finesse she did her younger siblings.

They approached the table and Wyetta crossed her path to sit next to Charlotte, giving her a knowing smile. Valerie took her own place on the other side of the lengthy table, feeling a bout of relief.

“It appears you have become swift friends.” Valerie picked up the undertone of a sneer in Savannah’s words.

“It is only because we were seated at the same table for tea. I am sure by the end of this banquet, you and I will be just as harmonious.”

“You walk around as though we are beneath you, but we were born of the same title.”

“I think you misunderstand me,” Valerie answered, placing her hands in her lap. “It is not that I think lowly of anyone. It is that I was raised to not show my emotions so freely. As the eldest, I was told to act and be a certain way for my siblings and those who would visit the manor.”

This was true for Valerie, just as for Cecily.We were both the eldest, and although that girl was brash, she could be calm and collected when she wanted to be.Valerie had spied on her for just long enough to see her act accordingly.

The king entered, and everyone quickly rose to stand in greeting. Men bowed while women curtsied when he passed by until he made his way to the end of the banquet hall to come to the middle of them.

From the small distance, she could tell he’d been drinking heavily, but he held himself as though he was sober.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the court,” Bradwick said loudly, allowing his voice to be heard through the entire room. “I wish to thank the four dukes who have brought their beautiful daughters, or nieces, to attend my royal gala. The day we shared was stimulating, and I look forward to getting to know them better as the days pass.”

He lifted his already-filled chalice to take a swig after the cheers that followed, then he sat down and immediately began eating rudely. The court sat as well.

That’s when Valerie noticed his guard was entering the room like he’d been delayed. He swiped a chalice from a noble’s table, forced a servant to fill it for him, and walked up to stand behind them.