8
Ioveanu’s sonswere notcowards.
Malin told himself this enough times that it should have made a difference. But he’d allowed his own weakness to hold him back from declaring himself years ago when he should have. Now that he knew he hadn’t imagined the yearning in Surah's eyes, he could strangle himself for waiting. As he now waited. Every moment she spent in his arms was a torment because she wasn’t ready yet–not for what he wanted. To unleash the desire he’d nurtured for over a decade. To take her, make her his, hear his name on her lips as she surrendered to him. Even if she hadn’t been one of the most beautiful women in the court, he would want her. He would crave her even if she wasn’t the key to hissurvival.
Perhaps if he hadn’t so ruthlessly trained to maintain a warrior’s stoicism, he could have opened up easier. After all, how much time did he have left? True, the serum kept the madness at bay, but with every day he felt an encroaching weakness. His fingers cramped even now, and the blades of his shoulders where his wings unfurled. That frightened Malin the most. But not more than the thought of never being free to love the female he knew better than his own skin. Was he moving them too slowly? He’d thought to give her time to get used to him, tothem.But there was no time left, not with Petru challenging his claim, and the Mogrens thinking there was no consequence for harming her. He would have to declare himself in front of the assembly, andsoon.
The assembly gathered at midnight, Geza and his Council sat around the table on a dais in the great room of the Palace. Malin’s uncharacteristic presence stirred voices–Surah at his heels stirred evenmore.
Geza sat with his chin in his hand, elbow propped on the table. His wings were tucked tightly around the narrow-backed chair, designed specifically with winged individuals in mind. When he spied his brother and sister, the wings half-unfurled in surprise before snapping back into place. He didn’trise.
“Malin. Surah. Take a seat at thetable.”
Sajal’s eyes narrowed, Lavinia merely watched. The others expressed disapproval in the stiff set of jaw and shoulders. Malin was technically a Councilor, though he’d never formally taken up that duty. But Surah, Surah was only Geza’s human half-sister. Useful for a future marriage alliance, but by rights, she should have been barred from the assembly–at least in the opinions of enough gargoyles that Surah choose to stayaway.
Malin approached, placing his hands on the table, rage howling inside him for release. A simmering, seething mass until he’d walked through the assembly doors, as soon as his eyes rested on the face of the treacherous bitch who dared lay a finger on what was his, he felt the tingle of his wings and claws and fangs. He’d shifted back to human before entering, even though they were in the deep of night, because he wanted them to think him weak. Vulnerable. Trapped in his human form like a child. That way, when he took the heads of every enemy in this room, their shock would sweeten hisvictory.
Surah moved beside him, glancing at Malin from the corner of her eyes. Malin ignored the look, but inwardly asserted calm, focus. Surah cared for Geza–Malin loved his brother as well. But he was made of the same stern stuff as Ciodaru–he would not hesitate to kill Geza if he refused to protect the one thing that mattered to Malin. Hiswoman.
“Welcome, Lord Malin,” Lavinia said, contralto tones measured. “Your chair has remained empty foryou.”
Malin pinned her with his gaze. She remained uncowed, unruffled. Meeting his glare with the aplomb of a seasoned warrior—and politician.Dangerous.
“I didn’t come for the chair,” hesaid.
“Then why did you come, brother?” Geza asked, an edge in his voice. He shifted in his seat, a dangerous tell for a ruler. Malin’s eyes narrowed on him. The boy needed training. Was Geza’s new sword master too womanish to discipline himproperly?
Frowning, Malin answered his brother. “I came to offer warning.” His attention shifted back to Lavinia. “If another finger is lifted against the Prince’s sister, he will not have to retaliate.Iwill.” Turning his head to Geza, he met the boy’s gaze. “Prince, you must maintain neutrality in matters among your Council. That is wise. But I can act on your behalf, and you will be heldblameless.”
“Well, not now that you’ve announced it aloud, Malin,” Lavinia said, somewhatdry.
“Yes, evennow.”
“You have no to right to speak for her,” Sajal said. “And even less right to threaten the Prince because ofher.”
Malin turned his head, looked at Surah. She glanced at him, looked down at the floor, thensighed.
“Malin and I are courting. He is my chosen husband, when the time isright.”
The silence in the room was deafening. Geza stared at Malin, face slowly hardening. “Surah is my heir,” his brothersaid.
“So sheis.”
“Is this an attempt at a coup, Malin? Is this achallenge?”
“Knock that off,” Surah said, scowling. Her moment of reticence evaporated as she glared at Geza. “Not everything is about you or damn courtpolitics.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Geza snapped. “Your hand in marriage is nothing but political. And you want to wed the former Prince? Are you insane to think I would allowit?”
She folded her arms. “Then disinheritme.”
Geza snorted. “As ifMalin—”
“I don’t care,” Malin said. “I can protect her. She doesn’t need you.” He paused. “You need her, but you’re too silly to see that.” Malin shrugged. “I’m richer than youanyway.”
Geza gaped for a split second before outrage bronzed his cheeks. “Why, you insolentbastard.”
Malin grinned, showing his fangs. “Meet me in the training yard anytime,fledgling.”
