Three Kings: A Fantasy Romance (Royal Conquest Book 3) by Nikki Jefford

Author:Nikki Jefford [Jefford, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Melarue

Flames glowed from candelabras over the table. Plates covered with silver lids were already placed at each setting when I arrived. I’d worried Ryo would either be late again or not come at all, but tonight he sat slouched in his seat and already drinking. He barely flicked a gaze at me as I strode in. Apparently, his bubbling wine held more appeal than I.

Pursing my lips, I took a seat.

“You look lovely,” Albedo said from his spot at the head of the table. He’d gone back to wearing black. Both he and Ryo looked like they were preparing to attend a funeral in the mortal world. Fitting.

Three footmen entered to pull the lids off our plates. Steam and the smell of roasted meat lifted over the table. Ryo grabbed his knife and fork and began sawing into his meal, stuffing bits of meat into his mouth and chewing vigorously.

“In a hurry, Brother?” Albedo’s voice lifted with amusement.

“Giselle and Jana are waiting for me,” Ryo said while chewing.

He might as well have shoved his knife into my heart and cut it up as carelessly as he hacked up his meat.

I knew he cared about me and wanted to protect me. I knew he’d sooner kill Albedo than stand back and allow him to mate me. Somehow, he thought he was helping, but this was more than a charade. Giselle and Jana would be waiting in his chamber, and I knew there would be no stopping them this time. Didn’t Ryo realize I hated the idea of him with those two harpies as much as he hated the thought of me with Albedo?

We were supposed to be a team.

“Aren’t you hungry, Melarue?” Albedo drawled.

I stared down at the unappetizing hunk of meat then sawed off a piece and lifted it to my mouth. The juicy morsel had probably been grilled to perfection, but it tasted rancid as my teeth worked it into mush.

“Have you decided on a menu for our ceremony?” Albedo asked.

“Cakes,” I said. “Loads and loads of cakes. A table full of cakes.”

“If that is what you want,” Albedo said, sounding bored.

“May I be excused?” Ryo asked gruffly.

Albedo waved him off. “I hope that you will be in a better mood tomorrow. Your sulky behavior is getting tiresome.”

Rather than scowl, Ryo’s lips split apart into a malicious grin. “I will be in a much better mood tomorrow. I promise you that, Brother.”

“Good. You may leave now.”

My heart sank as Ryo stomped out of the dining room.

After forcing down half my meal, I asked to leave as well. I was dismissed with about as much fanfare as Ryo. Albedo really appeared to have no interest in me other than as the key to Dahlquist.

Back in my chambers, Gem and her crew tried to help undress me as I kicked them out. I was okay with a little help getting ready. When it came to taking off my clothes, they needed to keep their faerie fingers to themselves. Ugh, they’d already seen more of me than my own sister ever had.

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