Page 70 of Bred

Artinpacedinfrontof us, a collection of beautiful young women that she had summoned to the Monarch’s reception room. The walls were hung with expensive tapestries, and the red-gold light of sunset streamed through the stained glass windows and painted the carpeted floor at our feet in strange patterns.

“When his majesty arrives, you will bow your heads. Do not look at him until he speaks to you. He will speak to each of you in turn, and I will tolerate no attempts to draw his attention away from the others… This choice is the king’s to make. You are not here to flirt; you are here for one purpose only.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and remembered what the serving woman had said to me.

Be unexpected.

The other young women had long family histories, rich and powerful bloodlines… What did I have?

Artin could have turned me away. The goblin could have refused to give me the herbs I’d demanded of him. That meant something.

It had to.

“When the king makes his decision, those chosen will stay here at the Monarch for thirty days, or until there is a confirmed pregnancy. You will be my guests, but you will become the property of the Jeweled Throne. Do I make myself clear?”

The others nodded, and I did the same. My palms were cold, and I pressed them against my skirts to keep from fidgeting. Nervousness crept up my spine as iron-shod hooves clattered over the cobblestones outside.

“It is time,” Artin snapped. “Remember, you will not look at his Majesty until he speaks to you. Answer his questions, but say no more.”

Murmured agreement followed her announcement, but I stayed silent.

Artin gestured to the men behind her, men who looked more like guards than anything, and they opened the door to allow her to step into the corridor.

“Does anyone know which king will be coming?” someone asked.

“King Venali,” someone replied. “Didn’t you read the proclamation?”

“But which one is he?”

“Hush, does it matter?”

“They’re all terribly handsome, aren’t they? I would take any of them.”

“Hush!”

Footsteps in the corridor, muffled voices, and Artin’s musical laughter echoed beyond the door. My heart pounded in my chest and I tried to keep still. Shoulders back, chin high. I might not belong here, but I wasn’t going to leave empty-handed.

“Majesty, this way, if you please,” Artin said from just outside the doorway. “There are seven potentials awaiting your decision.”

“Seven.” The king’s voice rumbled, and a shiver crept down my arms. “I trust you have chosen according to my requests?”

“As ever, Majesty,” Artin replied smoothly.

The guards entered the room first and checked all corners and behind the tapestries for any hint of danger. Artin’s expression was unreadable as she walked at the king’s side, and I clutched at my skirts as the king appeared. He was almost too tall for the doorway, and one of the young women barely bit back a gasp as his amber eyes swept over the room.

“I don’t know why I doubt you, Artin,” he murmured. “It would be impossible to find such a beautiful collection anywhere else in the kingdoms.”

“You are too kind, Majesty,” Artin replied, but her tone almost made me smile. Artin knew what she was doing. “Please, take your time.”

The other young women bowed their heads, but I didn’t. The king’s eyes swept over us and then lingered on me. His dark hair was pulled back from his forehead and a thick braid secured with a wide gold band fell over his shoulder.

I didn’t know what I’d expected a king to look like. Maybe I’d expected a fur-trimmed cloak and a tall crown like the kings in fairy tales and songs… This man looked more like a warrior. He carried himself like one, too.

A scar that split the outer edge of his upper lip marred the smooth skin of his face and tugged his mouth into a half-smile that was sensual and dangerous at the same time. A scar like that could only have come from a terrible wound, and I was fascinated by it.

Leather armor hugged his torso and forearms, and his hand rested on the hilt of the sword at his hip.

“Eyes down,” Artin snapped. The other women complied immediately, but I was slower to react. The king moved along the line, pausing to speak softly to each of the young women. I watched him out of the corner of my eye.