Chapter 32 She's a Defender
Varek
He looks stunned when I say it. I keep my expression carefully blank, waiting for him to make up his mind.
“If I offer land, there will be a guarantee of a son.”
“You misunderstand. Land will be given before you or your son get even a second alone with her.”
Though the thought of even allowing that goes against this uncomfortably vicious feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I let him see the sharp edge of my teeth. “Though there are less expensive options available.”
His jaw tightens. “Don't mock me.”
I lift my goblet. “If Princess Fiona is out of your budget, and you have no interest in taking one of the Caldaran courtesans, take your son and ride home before noon.”
Ronan and Lucian are both stiff and silent beside me. I can only guess who they are thinking of, but it hardly matters. I don't have the softness of the King of Solara and none of the courtesans are my children.
“You want a warrior breeder, there is another available.”
The old man’s eyes blaze. His son shifts in his seat, his lips curving into something like a snarl, but he stays silent. I am not surprised that he has no interest in Liora, not that I truly consider her in the lineup of women of my court to be married off.
Her sister had been a special case.
The king leans forward. “You think this is the proper way to negotiate such a thing? To demand so much for an opportunity? And if the match doesn't suit—”
“Your son's lack of charm is not my problem,” I narrow my eyes. “And let's not pretend that you came here with any regard for Princess Fiona's interest in you or your son. You came to buy a wife. I am telling you the price.”
I lean forward now, my eyes locking onto his. “And I'll be the first to tell you I don't care what you expect or want. You are in Caldara, and here, you’ll have what I give you or nothing.”
The room falls into silence. Only the crackle of fire fills the air between us. The king’s fury simmers, but I hold his gaze until he looks away.
“I won’t trade land,” Hyath growls, voice edged with venom. “You overreach.”
I lean back in my chair. “Then offer something of lasting value or leave.”
Before he can reply, a knock sounds on the door.
“Come in.”
The doors creak open. A guard enters and bows.
“Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty, but messengers have arrived from various kingdoms. Visitors for Morak and Jorsen will be here by noon.”
The king and his son stiffen, their faces scrunching in displeasure. Hyath, Jorsen, and Morak have always had bad blood between them. One of them staged a siege and killed someone's wife, another torched a port because the third was framed for it, the third retaliated on both and murdered a son of the line and a daughter. I had no idea which one did what, but the cycle of retaliation had been going on for decades.
“Any others?”
The guard rattles off a few more names, and I nod. Most I have letters from in my office, others have ties to Solara. In general, there are more coming than I had hoped. Again, I should be happy, but a bitterness builds at the back of my throat.
“If all you wish is an opportunity for a child, your initial offer of salt and grain tithes could be acceptable for every attempt. A daughter will cost you more in salt and a son will cost you more in both. Think of what is feasible for Hyath, but do think quickly.” I smirk. “I believe Morak and Jorsen will arrive with higher bids for even that chance.”
Never mind that if I allow it, Hyath will lose ground in all of this. The king would never even consider having a blood tie to his enemies. The territory disputes would disrupt the entire area making the land ripe for conquering unless they agreed to take their attempts in reasonable rotation and negotiate keeping her once they'd gotten a child.
If I have to, I could start a bidding war for her first night, her first pup, and anything else I can manage. The kingdoms that cooperate and stand against Hyath, Jorsen, and Morak would rejoice in a blood tie, and if the alphas coming take a glance at the rest of Caldaran's noblewomen and want one of them, it would be a bonus.
It was unlikely to happen. None of them are pretty or valuable enough to tempt a man to hand over anything I might want for Caldara.
I rise without another word. “Escort our guests back to their chambers. Allow them the time to mull over their options or pack their things.”
I lead Ronan and Lucian out of the door and try to ignore the vicious anger burning in my chest at the thought of dealing with more men like the king of Hyath or the prince, peering at Fiona and bidding shamelessly for her.
I know this is my plan. I know this is the best way forward before everything collapses, but I still hate the idea.
The doors close behind me just as the parlor doors slam open, and Fiona strides out with Liora close behind. She's flushed, her eyes blaze like wildfire, and her shoulders are tight with fury. She doesn’t even hesitate before she raises her voice.
“Just when I thought I had seen the full extent of what kind of man you are,” she growls, her voice hard and biting. “I have to watch and listen to the catty, disgusting nature of your courtesans? What kind of king are you to let courtesans treat his own flesh and blood this way?”
Liora's eyes bulge, her hands lift partially as if to grab Fiona, but she doesn't. She looks stunned, standing several paces back.She doesn’t speak. That pull from earlier grows tight and I grab hold of it, clamping my control on it.
Humiliation lances through me followed by fury.
“You clearly haven't been instructed enough about your place here, princess," I snarl, closing the distance between us in a single stride. I loom over her but unlike when we were in her father's hall, there is no fear in her eyes. She stares up at me as if she's fully prepared to swing. I almost hope she will so I can finally break her down and see what she's really made of.
“You think I'm scared of you, Varek? You with half a plan? Half a brain? And nothing but brute strength to your name?” She hisses. “I'm not some Caldaran who’s going to bow their head and not call you—”
My hand closes around her arm before she can finish. She jerks back, struggling, fire flashing in her eyes as she twists against my grip.
“Release me!”
I yank her close and lower my voice to a near whisper. “Do not make me have to take more drastic measures to ensure your obedience.”
“It's a wonder anyone obeys you at all, but it isn't out of respect when you treat your own family like they mean nothing and let others treat them even worse.”
“What the hell are you—”
“You disgust me,” she hisses, yanking hard. “Get your filthy hands off of me!”
“Watch yourself, Princess. I'm in no mood for—”
"That's too bad. No one else might be able to tell you about yourself, but I can, and it's been a long time coming!” She pulls back, and thumps me hard in the chest, her two fingers jabbing into me. "Liora is a warrior, yes. She's also a woman in your court, and she deserves to be treated as such.” She points back to the parlor door. “Every time you let them play their petty little games, you prove to be nothing more than a pathetic excuse for a king, playing war games instead of running a kingdom!"
My wolf snarls, close to the surface. I feel the urge to shift ripple through my skin.
“How dare you—”
“Go on!” She screams. “Shift. Tear my throat out, but we both know I'm right.” She snarls, baring her teeth. “A kingdom is nothing if its own royal house cannot stand in unity, and I see no reason for Liora to ever have more than a passing loyalty to you.” She narrows her eyes. “I wonder how much longer it will last.”
The threat in her words yanks at something raw and aching my chest. It's a wound still festering from years ago, and one that will never truly heal. Fiona can't know how hard her words land, or why, but I do. I glance at Liora, but she still looks just as stunned as earlier. She's told Fiona nothing, so where was all of this coming from?
“No one is leaving Caldara, least of all you.” I push her back toward Liora. She doesn't even stumble. “And the house of Caldara is none of your business.”
“Says the man negotiating bride prices."
I chuckle. “Rental fees, actually.”
Her own skin ripples with the beginnings of a shift. Before I can feel anything more than a flicker of amusement, she swings at me, aiming her fist at my face.