Ruling Sikthand: The Clecanian Series Book 7 by Victoria Aveline

Author:Victoria Aveline [Aveline, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

He wasn’t ready for this.

Sophia was being announced today, and every cell in Sikthand’s body was tied in knots. Usually he felt prepared for difficult situations. Flying into a deadly storm or battle didn’t faze him. It was easy to keep his wits when he knew danger was coming from all sides.

But this was different. It wasn’t only himself he had to worry about anymore, and as much as he wished he could split himself in two, he couldn’t. He strapped his metal on extra thick, his shoulders already aching from the weight of it, and prepared to parade himself through Vrulatica on his way to the throne room in lowcity.

He had no idea what reaction his people would have to the engagement announcement disseminated early this morning. The Guild had pushed to hold a public forum so citizens could come and voice their support or their complaints, and he had, without question, refused to allow Sophia to attend. She would remain safe in the queen’s quarters until he’d taken the temperature of his city.

Not only did he have his own citizens to worry about, but the world. Some cities would be jealous, some appalled if they deemed a Class Four planet species unfit to rule, and Tremanta…well, he had no idea what the new Queen would do. He and the Guild had decided to let the announcement stand on its own as a statement rather than reaching out to formally accept or decline her offer of humans in exchange for their vote.

They’d reopened trade to Tremanta as if it had merely been paused. This morning, the Queen should have awoken to shipments of askait and news that Sophia would become queen of Vrulatica.

It was a dangerous move. She could very likely take offense. After all, they were making a hostage human their queen. Though it would be idiotic, especially considering this marriage was consensual, the Queen had grounds to call for war if she so wished. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Their askait deposits alone should keep her quiet, but he couldn’t be sure.

It was paramount that he remain vigilant, but that was proving more than a little difficult. He’d thought their nightly visits would subdue the irritating temptation to follow Sophia, to have her in his sight always, but the urge had only grown stronger. He found himself loitering in his study long after she’d left and inhaling her lingering scent.

His duties had become more demanding the past week, requiring him to be called away often as they discussed strategy for the building storm system moving in. But Sikthand had found himself rushing back to his rooms every night and sitting on his bed, unable to focus on anything as he waited for her to knock. Always three gentle raps high on the door.

Whenever she glided through his room, smiling gently in that way that made his gut tighten, all his worries ebbed. They were still there, bubbling at the corners of his mind, but she blurred them somehow.

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