Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
“After we pass your test?” I ask. “That’s what this is, right? We’re not in a formal setting as is custom, nor are there witnesses, but you’re testing us.”
Cat sets her silverware on her plate, but Aaric digs into his chicken, completely unfazed.
“Talia will serve as witness.” Nairi slices into a potato. “And we thought an informal setting would be best given the…delicate nature of relations.”
Talia’s shoulders curve inward.
“You mean in case I embarrass my mother in a public setting with my lack of wisdom.” Xaden leans back in his chair and extends his arm over the back of mine. “Is that your fear, Mom?”
“No.” Talia’s gaze jumps to Xaden, and her spine straightens. “My reticence about tonight is due to my own shame, in that I asked Faris for a personal favor so that you might be more comfortable during the conversation. I don’t worry about your intelligence, Xaden. You were always a bright boy.” Her hand trembles as she reaches for her goblet.
“Tell me something. When you die, do your dragons?” Faris asks, changing the subject.
“Depends on the dragon,” I answer. “But usually, no.”
“Gryphons do,” Cat adds. “They bond for life.”
Faris blinks. “To tie your life to another’s, especially something as frail and easily breakable as a human, seems a foolhardy thing to do.” His brow furrows. “You respect your gryphon for this choice?”
“I respect her for who she is and trust whatever decisions she makes,” Cat replies. “Gryphons and their sacrifice to bond humans have allowed us to win the Great War and to survive centuries of war after that.”
“Spoken like a royal.” Nairi’s eyes narrow on Cat. “Talia says you are in line for the throne of Poromiel.”
“If Queen Maraya does not choose to have children, then my uncle will rule and eventually my sister will be an excellent queen.” She picks up her fork and knife in a manner that dares them to argue.
Nairi’s gaze flickers from Cat to Xaden to Aaric. “So many young royals here. So many potential alliances. Why are you not contracted to one another? It seems…foolish not to forge futures and provide heirs who could unite your kingdoms.”
The chicken goes dry in my mouth, but Mira shoots me a can you believe these people look that steadies my heartbeat.
“My brother will be king,” Aaric says, slicing through his chicken like this is any normal dinner. “Though a horrible one. Heirs and alliances aren’t my concern. I will fight in this war, most likely die, and do so knowing that I protected others.”
“Honor has never been the equal of wisdom.” Nairi sighs, then looks to Xaden. “And your excuse? We received news months ago that your title had been restored to you.”
Which means they have current information. They knew about the rebellion. About Fen’s execution. I breathe deeply to help cool the instant, scorching anger that burns up my throat and level a less-than-friendly look on Talia. She knew and she left him there, didn’t even go back.
Xaden stabs a piece of potato with his fork but keeps his arm around my chair. “Well then as you know, I’m a duke, not a prince.”
“Tyrrendor is the largest province of Navarre,” Talia tells the triumvirate, rushing to her son’s defense. “Much of its territory lies beyond their wards, so its allegiance to the kingdom has always been…weaker than the others. It would not surprise me to find that in the course of this war, Tyrrendor regains its sovereignty, which is why a lifetime alliance”—her smile fades, and she glances at Xaden and me—“was secured. But you’re not…”
Xaden chews slowly, then swallows as everyone stares at him. “I don’t owe you an explanation about my love life.”
Talia flinches, then sets her hands in her lap, but her focus strays to Cat.
“For gods’ sake,” Cat mutters, abandoning her silverware again. “I said yes, he said no. He met Violet, and now they’re…them. They happen to be two of the most powerful riders on the Continent, so in that way, his alliance with her is perhaps wiser. The two of them could break and reshape the Continent if they chose to. And besides—I’m with someone else now.”
My chest constricts in stunned gratitude, but she only rolls her eyes when I look her way.
“Breaking such an advantageous alliance is…” Nairi shakes her head at Xaden. “Unwise.”
Oh shit.
Dinner churns in my stomach. They’re not judging our intelligence; they’re dissecting life choices.
“But easily remedied,” Faris says, looking at Nairi and Roslyn. “It would show great wisdom and dedication to their respective titles were they to contract for three…say four years?”
Roslyn nods. “Long enough to secure an heir for Tyrrendor and put Poromish blood in the line.”
I’m going to be sick.
Garrick huffs a sarcastic laugh. “If bloodlines equaled allegiance, we wouldn’t be sitting here under interrogation.” He glances to Talia at his right. “He is your son, right?”