Page 85 of Ashborne Forged

“What good do etiquettes and forms do if they leave me without my mate?” I hissed.

Donavyn cursed again. “Do not force me to discipline you further, Voski,” he hissed.

“Further?” the queen raised a brow.

I knew I couldn’t push again. I forced myself to bow and offer her humility. “I will follow. I have followed. I am vowed to follow. But if Grace is harmed—”

“Life harms all of us—including you, I have no doubt. And yet, your path has brought you here, to stand in the presence of a queen and receive her audience for your pleas. Don’t make me regret that decision.”

I swallowed hard. “I won’t.”

Her expression softened a hair and I thought she might be kind, but there was a rap at the door. It creaked open an inch to allow the voice of one of her men.

“Your Majesty, Lord Breckon has returned.”

The queen huffed, flapped a hand at me—which I took to mean I could embrace Grace quickly. I turned and wrapped her in my arms, squeezing her as hard as I dared, while she breathed and clung to me desperately.

“Take your places. We do battle as surely in this room, as you ever have in the skies,” the queen muttered. Grace and I tore ourselves apart, and I stepped aside, to stand just feet from her, Gil and Ronen stepping up to position themselves either side of me.

“Send him in,” the queen called.

I held my breath, reminding myself why I couldn’t simply draw a blade and apply it to his throat, as the arrogant ass strode in, then knelt before the queen with a grand bow.

“Your Majesty,” he said gravely. Smugly. “The papers you requested.”

Then he thrust them toward her and waited for her to take them.

My heart flipped in my chest.

28. Terms of Engagement

~ GRACE ~

My tears, which had appeared in floods when Voski held me, dried up the moment Breckon appeared.

I stood, trembling and sick, watching the queen read the contract the Lord had negotiated with my father. My heart sank, because I knew.

Breckon stood at my side, chin high and expression smug—except for the moments his eyes fell on Voski. At whom he scowled.

When he caught me watching him, his eyes grew stern. “I hope you enjoyed your adventure, because it’s over. Keep your mouth shut and leave this between those of rank,” he whispered to me, hissing through his teeth. “If you behave I’ll let you see your parents once we’ve returned to Fyrehold, and won’t sully their name. And once you’ve produced the heirs, I may even let you return to play with your dragon if you still wish to. But if you fight this, I’ll ensure that your father is ruined. Do not forget that I have the king’s ear.”

I could feel Voski’s rage rising, but didn’t look at him, because I knew that Breckon’s words weren’t empty threats. And he knew they’d motivate me.

My father’s wealth had been fading since I was young. Our name was old and respected, but he had stopped attending Court in recent years, because he could no longer keep up with his gifts to the throne. Whereas, Breckon’s family were far less established, but supremely wealthy. He had all the resources, but lacked the gravitas of my father’s name.

Now that I’d seen him in this environment, and how he handled himself away from our estate, I had no doubt he would pull down my father to make himself stronger. None at all.

I had hoped he was prideful enough to give up on the contract once I’d disappeared. I’d felt guilty at the risk it ran to my parents. But I never imagined he’d go these lengths—or that he cared enough to blackmail me with their downfall. I thought he’d find himself a new wife and move on.

“It appears that this is in order, and sealed by the king,” the queen said, an edge of frustration in her tone.

My lungs went still.

I wanted to reach for Voski, and instead, reached through the bond. Heard him. ‘No matter what, Grace. I said it. I meant it.’

“Your Majesty, might I ask a question, for my own growth and learning?” Bren piped up. Everyone was surprised—most of all me. The queen hadn’t given her leave to speak.

Breckon scowled, and obviously expected the queen to reprimand her. Instead she turned to Bren, curious. “What is it?”