Page 82 of The Chains You Defy

Dion’s disdain was like a living beast wrapping itself around this male, threatening to swallow him whole.

“But since I’ve been absent for a while and you might have forgotten about who outranks whom—after all, you’ve always had some problems with memory gaps—I’ll humor you this once, so you have more time to refresh your recollection about your own station. Yes, Fainic,allmy comrades have arrived in Alaiann as well.”

“I apologize most sincerely and ask for your forgiveness, Your Royal Highness. Such oversight from my end won’t happen again. And I’ll be eternally grateful that you so graciously indulged me with the information. The High King will be delighted to hear of the successful homecoming of some of his most important confidantes.”

The eye roll threatening to overtake my face froze as the steward’s scrutiny landed on me. He didn’t even attempt to mask a sneer of contempt when he understood what I was, and one of his eyes twitched as he scanned me from head to toe as if I were an extremely disgusting insect he’d found on his dinner plate. When he was done dripping condescension from every pore, he scoffed and returned his attention to Dion.

“Your quarters have already been prepared, sire. Do you wish for me to arrange a chamber for…that thing as well?”

His nose was wrinkling in utter disgust, and I didn’t have to be a genius to conclude that the accommodation Fainic pictured for me was more broom closet thanbedroom. Or a dungeon cell, which would likely be his favorite solution.

“My souvenir will stay with me in my suite. There’s more than enough space for her.”

“Of course, sire.” The sneer on the steward’s face returned, and everything in me screamed to educate him on where he could stick his behavior.

Dion narrowed his eyes and shot Fainic a scowl that could only be understood as a massive warning sign about how displeased he was with the steward as well.

“I’ll have one of the attached servants’ rooms vacated and prepared.”

“Fainic. What’s so hard to understand about my wish to keep myAmplifierclose? If you misunderstand me on purpose just one more time or want to dictate to me where to store my property, I’ll see to your punishment myself.” As he spoke, a telltale warmth spread from my middle through my body and then further—Dion was pulling from my Potential.

What was he doing?

What indeed. Half-transparent darkness surrounded us. Not in the wild, untamed way Dion usually wielded his power, no. This magic was controlled, cold, malicious. A determent.

“There’s a major difference between the two of you, Fainic. This human gives me power, which makes her valuable and one-of-a-kind. You, on the other hand, only cause me headaches. Meaning, this female won’t be accommodated in the servants’ quarters in my wing. My Amplifier will stay where I can see her.”

Oh, Dion bared his teeth to Fainic, and I became aware of how hard he worked to keep his temper down.

If the steward was more than mildly irritated, he didn’t show his ire, and I wondered if he was the first fae here who wasn’t afraid of Dion or if he was just an excellent actor.

“Of course, Your Royal Highness. I’ll have the guest bedroom in your suite prepared then.”

“And send the royal tailor to my quarters as soon as possible. You’re dismissed.”

The steward frowned for the smallest moment. He wasn’t happy to be discharged so rudely, and I had to suppress a grin. “Of course, Your Royal Highness. As you wish.”

Dion stalked away before Fainic was even done talking, and I hurried to follow him.

“Wow,” I whispered when we were out of earshot. “You’re an even bigger asshole than I’ve imagined.”

He observed our vicinity, and when he was convinced we were truly alone, his angry eyes found mine. “Yes. Especially to him. Fainic’s only mission in life is to annoy me. He despises me as much as I loathe him. Sadly, he’s under my grandfather’s personal protection. But for his behavior just now, he has signed his own death warrant. No one disrespects you like that and lives.”

“Whoa, hold your horses.” We shared a silent look, arguing wordlessly about his over-the-top murder fantasies—at least I did—until I huffed. “But honestly, a lot of your attitude makes more sense after witnessing this scene.”

“You’ve seen nothing yet, Nayana.”

“Do I have to be scared?”

“Of me? Never.But in general? Yes, very.”

Half an hour in Alaiann, and I’d already had enough for ten lifetimes. Before my travels, I hadn’t even perceived all the bowing and scraping anymore, but today, especially with Naya around, I observed every single thing through a magnifying glass.

Gods, how my fingers itched to strangle Fainic. How did he dare to challenge my authority? Maybe he’d gotten too comfortable and secure in his role. If he had the audacity to insult Nayana one more time, I’d show him how replaceable he was and teach him never to disrespect me again, fallout with my grandfather be damned.

And everything would only get worse. If Galrach didn’t summon me within the hour, I’d be more than surprised, and if I were fucked, he’d insist I had to bring Naya along to parade her in front of him. But I wanted to spare her a meeting with my grandfather at all costs, although I knew better—hoping so was an illusion.

We needed more time, so I could teach her enough royal etiquette to placate the High King, something I’d shamefully neglected. Apart from preparing her as much as possible, I could only try to ensure that she would never be forced to face him alone. That was something within my power. Maybe.