Page 23 of The Chains You Defy

“Yes, Your Royal Majesty.”

“Surely, your father would deem himself honored if I aided you in finding a suitable husband at court? I’m in dire need of a confidante during the last weeks of my pregnancy and when my babe is born. There will be someone acting as your keeper during said time, of course, if that could worry your father.”

Not that I’d met Naya’s friend often or for an extended period, but seeing her speechless still came as a surprise. Before she could overcome her sudden shock, Pritatus smiled fondly at his queen.

“That’s a wonderful idea, my beloved. I’ll send a messenger to Credenta as soon as we’re done with this conversation.”

The entire scene was like watching an opera—one you knew the libretto and score intimately, only to realize that the conductor was reinterpreting the material until you couldn’t identify the original anymore. These royals were so warm, and their behavior was a stark contrast to everything I’d learned during my many winters; this was crazy. If it weren’t for Nayana, even I might have gotten a bad conscience about what I was about to do, although—no. I had no conscience left at all.

The king addressed the boy once more. “See, son. No need for you to use your boon. Your friend will stay as a confidante to my wife, and I’ll act as her keeper personally.” His brown eyes glittered with mirth as he smiled at the nuisance of a human being. “And rest assured, I’ll find an appropriate position for you too.”

Somehow, to understand that my notion and Pritatus’ opinion of what was suitable for the boy differed vastly wasn’t hard. For my taste, he’d spend his days mucking stables, but sadly, one look at the royal couple confirmed this daydream would remain a fantasy.

Both he and Rewani appeared as if struck by lightning. “Thank you, Your Royal Majesties.”

They were met with beaming royal smiles, and I shared a glance with Antas. From the scowl he wore, he was aware that I was about to shatter the peace, but even if being considerate of unimportant people’s well-being would have been in my nature—which it wasn’t—backing out now was not an option.

Like on cue, the king settled his attention on me and my soldiers for the first time since we’d entered his throneroom, and after only a short perusal, he faced the boy again. “Who are the men accompanying you?”

The boy was white as a sheet as I observed him fighting to find the right words to explain our presence to his king.

“Your Royal Majesty, thank you for addressing the situation. I owe them a debt, and as repayment, they asked me if I could arrange a hasty audience with you. Since I planned on using my boon, I hoped such an introduction could be a part of the favor as well.” He gestured over to us. “They’re acquaintances of the woman I aspired to win back home.”

His words had barely left his mouth when my eyes narrowed, and with extreme effort, I wrestled down the growl building in my chest.

Wrong thing to say, boy.

Bristling and glaring at the offending male, I withstood the urge to show him my teeth before dragging my attention back to the king. As I waited for the boy to step aside, I locked away all urges to harm him, together with my magic, and straightened my pose. My mission was too important to jeopardize its success just because I didn’t have my fucking temper under control.

“So, who are you, and what do you want?” King Pritatus asked as his queen sat down on her throne.

I and my soldiers had never discussed my plans, but they knew nonetheless. And so, with a slight dip of my head, I ushered them into action.

As my general, Fig stepped up first. “Your Royal Majesties, it’s an honor to meet you. My name is Fiolar Iarann Gealan.”

“Carthain Fia Croi, at your service, Your Royal Majesties.” Thain gave the king a modest bow—and sent a wink to the queen. Seriously, the longer our journey lasted, the more he had me convinced he didn’t value his head where the hollow thing was located—after all, he did the best he could to taunt me into severing its connection to the rest of his body.

Antas, stepping forward, pulled me out of my newest episode of murderous fantasies. “King Pritatus, Queen Anneria, it is my honor. I’m Saighdeoir Bogha Fiantas.”

The king knew.

So much was obvious as his whole body tensed. My company might have decided to leave out their titles and roles, but for someone at least familiar with the old tales,the sound of their names would be enough for the king to conclude the truth.

Pritatus’ voice echoed across the throne room as he boomed at the courtiers in the far corner, who must have sensed the shift in the air and were listening to every spoken word. “Out.” Then he fixed his stare on the guards on the balconies. “You too. All of you.”

Cocking my head, I observed how no one dared to object, not even the officials, who wore different expressions of confused worry.

Admittedly, King Pritatus had balls, sending more than half of his protection away after realizing what potential trouble stood in front of him. Honestly, to call for reinforcements would have been wiser.

In the end, only six guards remained when King Pritatus—who had positioned himself in front of his queen in a protective stance, which I appreciated more than I wanted to admit—turned to me, waiting while a dark foreboding crept through his features.

Oh yes, he knew.

My lips curled into a feral smile, and for the first time in days, my fatigue wasn’t threatening to overwhelm me. “Your Royal Majesties, during these times of peace and quiet, I, Dionadair Dorchadas Coroin De’An Scriosta, Crown Prince of Galanta, Scion to High King Galrach Folus Iadrann, and Heir to the Eternal Throne of Alaiann, am here to request the initiation of the Royal Protocol of Diplomatic Aid.” And because I wasn’t a complete bastard, I bowed in front of them again before straightening, and as if we’d choreographed the move, I shattered my Glamour at the same time as my comrades.

Both the king and queen stiffened. The sudden confrontation with four high fae was taking a toll onPritatus, more than on his wife. Still, the real horrors were caused by my name and my titles—even if I’d rather be caught dead before I recited all of them—connected to my reputation, which, granted, wasn’t the best. Or the worst, depending on the perspective.

For long moments, the silence in the entire room was oppressive until Rewani made a surprised sound. Her wide eyes were full of weird fascination and fixed on us, while the boy had lost all color, and I was under the impression he was about to succumb to unconsciousness. Not being able to help myself, I sent a cocky grin his way.