Slave to Ice & Shadows: A Mermaid Reverse Harem Romance (Royal Lies Book 1) by Aleera Anaya Ceres

Author:Aleera Anaya Ceres [Ceres, Aleera Anaya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Maisie

“Your father is upset with you,” I commented quietly.

We were swimming through the palace at a steady pace, one that wasn’t too trying on my torn fins. We’d been in Draconi for a few hours, and already I’d been showered with gifts of clothes,—kimonos, one that I currently wore; a beautiful garment in gold with a stamped dragon and water lilies on the back—food, jewels, and so many other things.

I’d met most of Kai’s sisters, and even his mother, the Emperor’s favorite concubine. She was pretty, with a tail that was identical to Kai’s in color, though he favored his father in looks. With long brown hair and dark eyes, she looked rather young, perhaps it was her pale complexion. Regardless, she was nice, greeted me with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Emperor Jiang Li was a different story.

I didn’t speak Dracon, but I’d understood facial features, and he’d looked furious.

“He’ll get over it.” He shrugged. While I could tell he was happy to be home, as it was obvious in the constant smiles he displayed around his sisters and his mother, I could also tell there was a tightness in his shoulders while out in public. It was the same way he’d acted when we’d been in Thalassar. Stiff, cautious. As if a heavy weight had been placed over his shoulders.

“It’s because of our marriage isn’t it?”

I didn’t want to care, didn’t want to feel the inevitable slash of hurt that clenched at my insides. Alas, there it was.

I wanted the Emperor’s approval. Not having it made me feel small all over again.

“Worry not, my gem.” Kai took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips, pressing a kiss to the backs of my knuckles. The action was affectionate; it brought instant warmth over me. “All will be well.”

I stopped mid-stroke and tugged at the front lapels of his kimono. He stopped and turned to face me, expression softening into such tenderness.

“Talk to me, Kai,” I pleaded softly. “Don’t shut me out.”

He sighed and looked over my shoulder to where I knew Tiberius and Elias floated side by side. They’d given us just enough distance for an illusion of privacy for appearance’s sake, but we didn’t fool ourselves into thinking they couldn’t hear us.

Finally, his eyes found mine again, the brown depths of them kind and searching. “I could never shut you out, my gem.”

I lifted my palm to cradle his cheek. “Then talk to me.” It was a firm command and a plea.

“He was… unhappy… at first. He feels you have slighted my honor, his own, and that of this kingdom by the lies at the wedding…”

The wedding where I’d pretended to be Odele and signed my name on the marriage contract with Kai. It was irreversible. We were husband and wife, before the courts and the gods. And I suspected soon we’d be mother and father as well.

“I think I did you a disservice.”

“No. Don’t think it. I love you, and Odele was right.

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