Chapter 75 A Risky Alliance

Chapter 75 A Risky Alliance
Thessaly didn't sleep.

She spent the night pacing her chambers, trying to decide if marriage to a cursed king was better or worse than execution by foreign powers. By dawn, she still didn't have an answer.

A servant arrived with breakfast and news that court would convene in an hour. Mandatory attendance.

Thessaly forced herself to eat. Forced herself into a dress that felt too formal. Too much like armor.

When she entered the throne room, it was already packed. Every noble who'd survived the battle was there, plus merchants and minor lords who usually skipped these gatherings. Word must have spread that something significant was happening.

Elowen stood near the front, surrounded by her faction. Her eyes tracked Thessaly's entrance with undisguised hatred.

Varian caught Thessaly's arm as she passed. "Whatever happens, stay calm. Don't react."

"What's going to happen?"

"You'll see." His expression gave nothing away.

Thessaly took her usual seat to the right of the throne. The room buzzed with speculation. Nobody knew why they'd been summoned, but the tension was thick enough to choke on.

Davorin entered last.

The room fell silent. He wore full formal regalia, crown and all. Thessaly had never seen him like this. Every inch the king. Untouchable.

He took the throne and surveyed the crowd with that neutral expression that revealed nothing.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "I have an announcement that concerns the future of this realm."

Thessaly's heart started pounding.

"As you all know, recent events have tested our stability. Attempted assassinations. A failed invasion. Political pressure from neighboring kingdoms." Davorin's voice carried easily through the chamber. "These challenges will continue unless we take decisive action."

The nobles shifted. Muttered to each other.

"Princess Thessaly has been under my protection since she arrived. That protection has been questioned. Challenged. Foreign powers demand I hand her over or execute her publicly." Davorin's eyes swept the room. "I've considered their demands carefully."

Thessaly's stomach dropped. He wasn't actually going to do it. Was he?

"And I've decided their demands are meaningless." His voice hardened. "Because as of today, Princess Thessaly is no longer simply under my protection. She is my betrothed."

The room exploded.

Thessaly nearly fell off her chair. Actually had to grip the armrests to stay upright.

Betrothed. He'd said it. In front of everyone. Made it real and official and impossible to take back.

Nobles were shouting. Some in outrage. Some in shock. Elowen's face had gone purple with fury.

Davorin raised a hand and the room slowly quieted.

"The engagement will be announced to all kingdoms tomorrow. The wedding will take place after the Unity Ceremony is completed." He stood, descending from the dais. "Any attacks on my betrothed will be treated as attacks on me personally. Any attempts to undermine her position will be considered treason. Is that clear?"

Nobody answered. They just stared.

Davorin moved to Thessaly's side. Extended his hand.

She looked up at him, trying to read his expression. This was a political move. Protection wrapped in marriage. A way to make her untouchable.

But the way he said her name when he spoke next made it feel like something more.

"Thessaly." Soft. Like they were alone instead of surrounded by hundreds of people. "Will you stand with me?"

It was a question. Not a command. He was giving her a choice even though they both knew she didn't really have one.

Thessaly took his hand.

The room erupted again. Louder this time. Thessaly heard the word traitor thrown around. Heard someone call her a seductress who'd corrupted the king. Heard Elowen's voice above the others, demanding this insanity be stopped.

But Davorin didn't let go of her hand. Just held it while the court descended into chaos around them.

He'd bet his entire kingdom on her. Made her his future queen in front of everyone who already hated her. Declared war on his own nobles for the second time.

The weight of that was crushing.

Thessaly's legs felt unsteady. This man had just sacrificed his court's stability, probably half his alliances, and any hope of peaceful relations with neighboring kingdoms. For her.

Because she mattered more to him than all of it.

"Your Majesty." Corwin Greymark stepped forward, face pale. "With respect, you cannot be serious. An engagement to an enemy princess? The political ramifications alone—"

"Are my concern. Not yours." Davorin's voice could have cut glass.

"But the court must advise—"

"The court can advise all it wants. The decision is made." He turned to face the crowd. "Anyone who has objections can voice them now. I'll listen. Once."

Elowen didn't wait for permission. "This is madness. You're binding yourself to the daughter of the man you destroyed. To the sister of the prince who just tried to kill you. To a woman with no magic, no political value, nothing to offer except—"

"Careful." Davorin's tone was deadly quiet. "Choose your next words very carefully."

Elowen's mouth snapped shut. But her eyes promised murder.

Other nobles spoke up. Listed reasons the engagement was a disaster. Political suicide. An insult to everyone who'd lost family in the war. A sign that Davorin had been compromised by whatever bond he claimed to share with her.

Thessaly stood there holding his hand and listened to them tear her apart. Called her every name she'd ever been called and invented a few new ones.

Through it all, Davorin didn't let go.

When the objections finally ran out, he spoke again.

"I've heard your concerns. They're noted and dismissed." His eyes swept the crowd. "Princess Thessaly will be my queen. That's not negotiable. Anyone who can't accept that is welcome to leave."

The challenge hung in the air. Leave or stay. Accept his decision or abandon the court entirely.

For a long moment, nobody moved.

Then Lord Rothwell stood. One of the older nobles who'd served Davorin's father. He looked at Thessaly with something between pity and disgust, then turned and walked out.

Three others followed. Then five. Then a dozen.

By the time the exodus stopped, maybe forty nobles had left. Not quite half the court, but close enough.

The remaining nobles looked shaken. Uncertain. Like they weren't sure if they'd made the right choice by staying.

Davorin's expression never changed. He watched them go without reaction.

When the doors finally closed behind the last defector, he turned to those who remained.

"Thank you for your loyalty. It won't be forgotten." His voice was steady. Calm. Like he hadn't just watched a significant portion of his court walk out. "We have work to do. Rebuilding after the battle. Preparing for the Unity Ceremony. Securing our borders against future attacks. I expect everyone's cooperation."

It wasn't a request.

The nobles murmured agreement. Some genuine. Some clearly forced.

Davorin dismissed them with a gesture. They filed out slowly, throwing glances at Thessaly that ranged from curious to hostile.

When the room was finally empty except for Varian and a few guards, Davorin's shoulders sagged slightly.

"That went well," Varian said dryly.

"Could have been worse."

"Half your court just walked out."

"I know." Davorin finally released Thessaly's hand. "But the half that stayed are the ones who matter."

Thessaly found her voice. "You just destroyed your political base. For me."

"I protected you. There's a difference."

"Is there? Because from where I'm standing, you just committed political suicide to keep five kingdoms from executing me."

"Yes. I did." He turned to face her fully. "And I'd do it again. Every time."

The bond hummed between them, and Thessaly felt his certainty. His absolute refusal to regret the choice he'd just made.

"I need air," she whispered. "I need to think."

"Take all the time you need."

She left before the emotion clawing at her throat could turn into something worse. Before she could thank him or scream at him or do something else she'd regret.

The corridor outside was empty. But Thessaly could hear whispers from nearby rooms. Could feel eyes watching from shadowed doorways.

She'd just become the most hated woman in the Shadow Realm.

And tomorrow, when word spread to the five kingdoms, she'd be the most hated woman in the entire region.

All because a cursed king had decided she was worth more than his throne.

The weight of that was crushing.

And somewhere in the palace, Thessaly knew, people were already planning how to make her pay for it.