Page 19 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

SLOANE

I ’ve barely had time to calm my wolf before Aeson is at my door. He doesn’t knock. He barely cracks it open before saying, “Let’s go.”

Great. His mood hasn’t improved, and neither has mine. This is going to be an interesting dinner.

I take my time adjusting the skirt of my gown, smoothing the fabric with steady hands.

A flicker of irritation stirs in Aeson’s gaze as I shift to double-check that my crown’s aligned properly on my head.

If he’s in a rush, I don’t care. I’m still the queen-to-be of this kingdom—at least in his eyes—and I’ll walk at my own damn pace.

Finally, I turn, gliding toward him.

Aeson extends his hand. A silent demand.

I stare at it. Then at him. I should take it. That’s what’s expected of me. But seeing as he’s not offering me any niceties, I don’t either.

I sweep past him, my steps controlled, shoulders squared, as I continue without looking back. If he wants to hold hands like the doting mate he pretends to be, he’ll have to show me some respect .

I make it three strides before pain shoots down my arm and my forward movements are halted.

Aeson grabs my bicep, squeezing unnecessarily hard.

“You’re either the most oblivious woman I’ve ever known or the smartest. I’m not yet sure which it is, and that isn’t good for you.

” He grabs my hand, forcing my fingers to curl around his.

“I came to escort you to dinner as my mate and queen, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Afterward, you’ll be joining me in my room for the night. No more interruptions.”

My wolf snarls in protest, my stomach twisting with disgust. Like hell that’s happening.

I allow him to keep my hand, but that doesn’t stop me from reaching out to Clara. “ I know you’re supposed to be sequestered to your room, but I need you to get to Estee or Isla. Now.”

Her tense confirmation comes as no surprise. “What am I telling them?”

“I need a reason not to be alone with Aeson tonight, and only another royal is going to get me out of this,” I say. “He won’t want to slight them. We might be in his kingdom, but he isn’t the most powerful alpha present, and he knows it. I need to use that to my advantage.”

“Understood. We have other wolves in the castle that I trust,” she tells me, something I should’ve probably known sooner. “If I can’t get to one of them before you do, someone will. I promise.”

“Who’s in the castle with us?” We’re nearly to the first floor. There isn’t much time left, and I shouldn’t be bothering Clara with questions like that when I trust her judgement, but I can’t help myself.

She doesn’t answer, and at the last step, I act without thinking things through. I purposely miss and allow myself to trip. Pain rips through my ankle, a sharp, searing jolt that sends my body lurching forward. But Aeson is still holding my hand.

The act doesn’t send me sprawling across the marble floor like I pictured, but it still hurts.

“Shit!” I hiss, bending down to clutch my throbbing joints.

Aeson doesn’t move to help me. He doesn’t kneel. He doesn’t even ask if I’m okay.

Instead, he releases my hand slowly, deliberately, allowing me to fall back, hitting my head on the wall hard enough that black spots dot my vision for a few seconds.

He laughs at me, a low, mocking chuckle as he stares down, shaking his head. “You almost had me fooled, Sloane. Almost.”

A chill races down my spine. His voice is void of warmth now.

Aeson crouches beside me, one elbow braces on his knee as he watches me like a predator watches prey. Calm. Certain. Smug.

“But it’s too late for you.” He leans in, his voice lowering to something just above a whisper. “You’re mine. You will do as I expect. You have nothing without me. No home. No pack.”

He smiles, slow and cruel.

“Don’t you forget that.”

There it is. All pretenses gone.

The mask has been shattered.

And finally, I see the real Aeson.

Good. At least the doubts I’ve had haven’t been wrong.

I lift my head, baring my teeth in a slow, wicked grin, my voice cool as steel. “The funny thing about losing my land is that you’re right, Aeson. I have nothing. ”

I shift, my weight pressing onto my injured ankle, pushing myself back up to my full height.

He stands with me, and I hold his stare as I add, “I have nothing to lose so I’ll do as I damn well please. Don’t you forget that.”

His darkened gaze makes me question whether I’ve made the right move, but it’s too late to go back. I won’t be his pawn, and I’m certainly not going to be his mate. Though I can at least pretend I’m still willing.

“You knew who I was before I signed that contract,” I tell him with certainty.

“My inability to accept being your arm piece and my demand for respect shouldn’t come as a surprise to you.

I act with authority. You can do whatever you want as long as you leave me to do the same.

I won’t cower in your shadow. If you thought you could break me, you were wrong, and it’s better we decide what we’re willing to put up with now than to allow our mateship to fall apart later—an incident that would only reflect poorly on you, in case you’re forgetting that. ”

He huffs and stands a little taller, so he can properly look down on me. “How so?”

“As you already pointed out, I have nothing,” I remind him.

“My land is dead. My pack is living in your kingdom. I can’t change that.

If we can’t find a way to work around each other, I’ll leave.

Simple as that for me. But you? You’ll be left here, dealing with wolves who might begin to doubt their king as they watch their queen walk away without a tear in her eye. ”

“Are you threatening me?” He steps closer, our noses nearly touching as his chest heaves.

“I’m merely telling you what I see as our options. You can take that as a threat or as an opportunity to find solutions to these issues before they explode any further. ”

He lifts his hand and settles it over my neck, his fingers splayed before tightening over my skin. He squeezes, nearly as hard as he did my arm. Still, I don’t flinch. I don’t even blink. I hold his stare, allowing my wolf to come forward.

If Aeson wants a challenge, I won’t back down. Hell, I just might take his kingdom from him. I haven’t thought about what happens once Julian is free, but I do know the man before me isn’t going to control me.

His fingers twitch. His jaw clenches.

He lets go.

“You might be right, Queen Sloane.” He extends his hand once more. “Let’s go enjoy our evening.”

I don’t know if this is Aeson conceding or if he’s trying to figure out a way to kill me now, but either way, I decide to keep playing the game, accepting his gesture.

As we continue toward the dining hall, my ankle strains with each step, but I don’t falter, shoving any remnants of pain down. When we get to the open doors, I remember the task I’d given Clara. One it seems she followed through on.

Easton, one of my advisors, is standing there with a wry smile on his face. He bows appropriately as we approach. “King Aeson. Queen Sloane. I’m here to step in for Clara while she takes a brief reprieve from her role as lead advisor.”

“Easton.” I offer him a nod, holding back my grin. “I didn’t realize you were staying in the castle.”

I thought he was still in Alcaris. I guess this is what happens when I allow myself to be distracted by a mate trapped in a cave.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I arrived yesterday.” There’s a glint in his hazel eyes that tells me I’ve missed something but figuring out what is going to have to wait.

“How many advisors do you have?” Aeson asks tensely. “We really don’t need more in Venaris. ”

“Let’s save that conversation for later, shall we, my king?” I say with a little too much honey in my voice.

Aeson’s jaw ticks, but he doesn’t press the issue in front of witnesses.

Instead, he grips my hand tighter and guides me into the dining hall.

As we pass Easton, his presence nudges my mind.

“I spoke with Clara,” he says. “ I was able to let Estee know you’d like her to arrange for a girl’s evening promptly after dinner. Clara will also be temporarily resigning from her duties, passing them onto me.”

“While I appreciate you stepping in, I don’t really think that will be necessary as of tomorrow.” I trust Easton, but Clara’s more than my advisor, and I need her at my side.

“She asked me to let you know that she won’t be far,” he replies quickly. “Stepping back will allow her to do her research. Something she said you’d understand.”

The knot that had been forming in my stomach loosens. She’s not abandoning me. She’s giving herself more time to solve our problem of getting through those damn runes. Smart.

By the time we reach the long dining table, the others are already seated.

The chandeliers above cast fractured light across the sparkling silver place settings, the deep purple banners draped along the walls adding a regal contrast. It’s elegant. Opulent.

And I hate it.

I force a pleasant expression, slipping into my role with ease. As I let Aeson lead me forward, Estee and Isla rise from their seats.

They march straight for me with wide smiles, effectively cutting Aeson off before he can pull out my chair .

“So, we were talking,” Estee starts, grabbing my hand before Aeson can object, pulling me away without a glance in his direction.

Aeson isn’t going to like this.

She leans in, lowering her voice just enough to sound conspiratorial. “Have you ever heard of a bachelorette party?”

I blink. “Um, no? Should I have?”

“It’s a human thing,” Isla answers, flipping her rose-gold hair over her shoulder. “But a fun one.”

Before I can question what that means, they maneuver me into a chair across from where I should’ve been seated.

It’s a subtle move. But effective.

The women on one side of the table. The men on the other.

Oh, Aeson’s definitely going to hate this.

“Exactly,” Estee continues smoothly, grinning as she settles beside me. “We’d like to treat you to one tonight. The fun begins right after dinner, as long as you don’t have any pressing plans.”

I barely part my lips before Aeson cuts in.

“Actually,” his voice is low, edged with warning, “I had special plans for us.”

Strain grows around the table, but Isla doesn’t miss a beat.

She smiles sweetly, but her blue gaze intensifies. “Can’t they be postponed? We’re only here for a few short days, and I was promised time to get to know Queen Sloane.” She pauses, tilting her head. “Something important for our future trade deals, wouldn’t you agree, King Aeson?”

Silence.

Aeson’s grip on his wine glass tightens .

For a second, I think he might refuse. Might insist on keeping me in his grasp for the night.

But then…he nods.

His smile is slow and forced. “Of course, Queen Isla. You ladies have your fun.” His gaze flickers to me, flat and emotionless. “But stay in the castle. I wouldn’t want any accidents to happen to my mate just days before our ceremony.”

Right. That’s why he wants to keep me close.

Isla grins triumphantly. “Excellent.”

Estee squeezes my hand under the table. “We’re going to have the best time.”

Oh, how I wish I could mind-talk with these ladies. Waiting until after dinner to find out what they’re up to just might kill me.

Then again, so might Aeson.

Well, he can try anyway.