“No, he was there to decide who was the better fighter. Since neither seemed good enough, I’ve decided to go a different route. Perhaps he will remind you of your place in my kingdom.”
“Perhaps.” Muth’s bitter smile didn’t reach his cold eyes.
“That will be all.”
They were escorted out of the room, and in that one moment of peace and solitude, I crossed the study and placed my hands on the windowsill, looking out to watch the heat of the sun begin to fade behind the horizon. This was the second day in a row that I had been able to watch the sunset.
“Your Grace?”
I turned to see Inok standing in the doorframe waiting for me to give him another order. I lifted a shoulder. “Shall we take the night off?”
He shook his head. “Muth’s always been an impudent twit.”
“Sometimes I think the older you get, the less you like your job as my second.”
“Oh no, Your Grace. I like my job just fine, I just don’t like dealing with disrespectful imbeciles.”
“You’re in the wrong line of work, then.” I smiled.
He shrugged. “Maybe I need that night off after all.”
“Go see Loti for some chocolate cake. Find Brax tomorrow and let him know he has a new job,” I answered, patting his shoulder. “I’ll see you in the morning, old friend.”
Chapter 11
ARA
“Put the knife down, Ara,” the prince demanded with his pretty fucking scowl.
“No, I don’t think so. You know, I’m looking back and I’m trying to think of one single time you’ve been even remotely kind to me, and here’s a twist. You haven’t. So, I think I’ll keep it here.” I lifted the blade so it sat below his chin. “I’m going to ask a question, and you’re going to answer it, and that’s how this is going to go.”
He nodded, though I could swear steam came from his long, lovely ears.
“Why do you treat me as if you know me when I’ve never met you before?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I have an incredible amount of patience. I think I’ll make it through.”
“If you would just put the knife down and sit, this would be so much easier.”
I pressed the knife in a little closer.
“Okay, fine,” he said, throwing his hands up.
I didn’t consider how close we were. I didn’t consider that we were touching. I didn’t even think about it.
“Let me start by saying you’re the one demanding this truth.”
My voice fell as flat as my stare. “Thank you for clarifying that.”
“I knew your mother and father. Your real mother and father, and the pair you knew to be your parents.”
“What?” I nearly dropped the dagger as my head whipped to Aibell.
“They will always be the parents of your heart, child.”
I shook my head. “What are you saying?”
