Serpent's Claim (Serpent's Touch 2)

“Has Bherlon been arrested?” I wished to see that man suffer at least a fraction of the pain I was feeling. He had to pay for what he had done.

The king pressed his lips in an odd expression.

“What is it?” I demanded. “Please don’t tell me he got away.”

“Lord Bherlon was also reported dead.”

“What? It can’t be true. He’s dead? How?”

“Killed, apparently. Though the circumstances are still unclear. That’s why I didn't recall my investigators. The commission remains in Ellohi for the time being.”

I fisted my hands in my lap. The king placed his large, rough palm over my fist.

“Either way, you’ll have to forget about Kyllen, Amira. He is your weakness. Even the memories of him make you upset and vulnerable. A ruler cannot afford to have any weaknesses at all.”

“A ruler…” I echoed, growing numb inside. “I am no queen.”

“You will be. I’ll announce our betrothal immediately. We’ll wed tomorrow. As you know, my dearest bride, I don’t have much time left to enjoy our marriage. We need to act fast.”

Was he making a huge mistake? Would I be a fool to go along with this?

A crown could give me a chance. But it could also become the cause of my demise.

He saw the doubt on my face. “I’m doing it to protect you, child, to give you a weapon strong enough to oppose the lords and their power. But make no mistake. Taking the crown is just the first step. Keeping it is the real challenge. I wouldn’t give it to you if I didn’t feel you have what it takes to keep it.” He squeezed my hand. “You have the thirst for knowledge. You have a strong mind and a noble heart. You’ve gained the confidence to speak up. The crown on your head will simply make everyone pay attention next time you speak.”

I leaned against his chest. “Thank you.”

The king might think I was thanking him for the crown. But there was so much more I was grateful to him for—for seeing a person in me when no one else in Ufaris did, for believing in me, and for teaching me. Because that was exactly what he’d been doing all this time—by discussing the strategies with me, by telling me about his past, by explaining to me his decision making process—the king had been teaching me how to govern.

He stroked my cheek through my veil. “I believe you’ll do just fine, little human.”