The simple black shirt he’s wearing hangs open at the throat, and at first glance, the red splotch inside looks like blood. But the rolled-up sleeves reveal a vine twining up his arm, with a rose blossoming on one side.
“I see she’s marked you as her own.”
“Yes. I’m hers, Alistair, and Briar is mine.”
I hate his fucking pity. I hope he chokes on it.
“After our abortive wedding ceremony, I have decided to rescind the title of duke and your ownership of the castle. We are here to dismantle it.”
Briar tips her head to one side, and by the gods if the sight of her doesn’t suck the air out of my lungs the same way it did the first time I saw her. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Your monsters destroyed my castle. We need materials to rebuild.”
“Pity.” She taps her lower lip with one forefinger. “If only there was some way I could help.”
She heaves a sigh and shrugs. “Unfortunately, this is our castle now. We won’t be relinquishing it.”
Blood pounds in my temples. Killian’s smirk invites my fist to draw back but the last thing I will ever do is let that cuckolding prick see that he’s gotten under my skin.
“Then we shall take it by force.”
Killian tucks his arm around Briar’s waist with a fond smile. Gods damn everything, he looks so happy I can’t stand it.
“You and what army, Alistair?”
“It’s Prince Alistair to you.”
“We hereby secede from Belterre,” Briar says. “We’re queen and king of the beasts, now, and this castle is no longer yours to command.”
King.
Queen.
They want to outrank me?
I won’t stand for it.
“Prepare to be conquered, old friend.” I don’t spare a single look for the betraying witch who brought me this low.
“Sure. We’ll wait.”
Along with every other indignity foisted upon me, it becomes clear that I have no choice but to back down. My men have fled. My reputation is in tatters. I have nothing left to lose.
And then comes the dragon. Its cold shadow falls over me. I swallow, hard.
“We wish you no ill will, Alistair. All we want is to be left alone. We will ensure the fae beasts remain here with us. Belterre can prosper in peace as it did before the Isanthians dumped me here.”
Briar says this with a little smirk that makes me want to throttle and kiss her at once. I cannot believe I still desire this woman.
But gods, look at her. Glowing with happiness and good health. Ripe with Killian’s brat. I’m choking on my envy.
“Are you still searching for a wife?” he asks, seeing the direction of my gaze.
“Yes,” I snap curtly.
“I wish for you someone humble,” Briar says with narrowed eyes. “A woman who can show you what matters. A woman who will fight for you, not bow to you.”
What in the hell does she mean by that?
I never have a chance to ask, for the gate closes behind them and the dragon takes wing, leaving me alone with my righteous fury.
