Ivan the Bold: A Fantasy Romance (Dokiri Brides Book 3) by Denali Day

Author:Denali Day [Day, Denali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

Tink.

Tink.

Tink.

The metallic echo bounced off the walls of the raised courtyard. Lavinia peered out from under the shade of the veranda into the open forge that was available to courtiers like Azeem who fancied themselves hobbyist craftsmen. She couldn’t see what he was working on, only that it reflected the sun and sent a bright shine back at her, spotlighting her intrusion.

“That didn’t take long,” Azeem said, without looking up from his project.

Lavinia glanced back at her accompanying bodyguards and gestured for them to remain behind so she might speak with her uncle’s advisor in relative privacy. She’d not left her home in the past two days. Not since Kabir had arrived. Even now, with Ivan’s life potentially in jeopardy, she’d been wise enough to bring them along lest her intended lie in wait with some scheme . . . as he already had with Ivan.

She swallowed a breath and forced her feet to carry her at a subdued pace to where Azeem hunched over an anvil. Potted trees littered the area, but not so many as to conceal eavesdroppers. She glanced at the walls around them. Was anyone listening from up there?

“Any spies who might hear us are paid from my pocket, woman. Go ahead.” He looked up, fixed knowing eyes on her. “Ask me to have your lover released.”

Lavinia raised her chin. “Kabir is intent on s-sabotaging an alliance with . . . the Dokiri.”

Azeem shrugged and went back to his hammering. “Perhaps. Or he’s intent on not becoming a cuckold. I would be, too.”

Lavinia gritted her teeth. “You m-met with the Dokiri today?”

“I did.”

“And?”

Azeem arched a brow. “And I want to know more.”

“Then help . . . me. Have Ivan the Bold r-released.”

Azeem snorted. “Why should I bother? Oppose the Alahun shar? For something you could easily accomplish yourself?”

“What do you suggest?”

Azeem looked her in the eye. “Marry. As your uncle has commanded.”

Lavinia watched as Azeem dropped the little hammer he’d been using and carried his project away to the other side of the forge. His broad-shouldered back was to her. She clenched her fists and circled round to where he now stood.

“You know w-why I can’t,” she said to his profile.

“I know why you don’t want to. What does it matter, when you say you have two sons and the entire world to save by the simple act? Your uncle must be right. The Soul Thieves are no true threat to us.”

“I’m asking for one man’s freedom.”

“The Pajel could have that and so much more.” He scowled at her. ‘But you’re not Pajel. You’re a stuttering child begging for favors whilst you sit on a mountain of unused influence.”

The truth of his words sank into her pores like putrid oil. All this time, Lavinia had felt, as much as played, the helpless damsel, while, even now, she could be at the jailhouse, demanding her Dokiri guest’s release and charging Kabir for Ivan’s molestation . . . if only she were in her uncle’s favor. A full inheritor of her family’s name.

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