Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137958 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Mars chuckled again.
I sighed.
“I obviously have no power in this room, in this land, and definitely not sitting in front of my beloved king, a man I helped raise side by side with my sister-friend Queen Elpis,” Mama began grandly. “But I can tell you, that ruby mine builds our armies and widens our roads. I know, Mars, like your father before you, you ceased taking the proceeds of royal holdings into your own personal treasury and added it to the treasury of the people. It is a blessing and the people know it, feeling of you like they did your father. That you are noble, adored and our true ruler. The tar has always been of Firenze and only of Firenze. And those saffron fields are owned by our king.”
“I do know this, Sofia, as I am that king,” Mars muttered with amusement.
“And he dares?” she demanded.
“They are not as rich a nation as we,” Mars explained.
“So…so…so…make more sheep!” she exclaimed. “That can’t be hard. They rut. Another one comes. Even I covet Dellish wool.”
Mars looked to me. “I forgot, as well, your mother’s spirit.”
“It’s not spirit, it’s loyalty,” I returned.
“I did not forget that,” he whispered, and I felt my throat close.
Instantly gone was her blustering affront, Mama emitted another sobbing peep.
Mars gave her a soft look before returning his gaze to me.
“This marriage is arranged, Farah, and there is no changing it. True rides here as we speak for parades and betrothal celebrations before you ride there for the ceremony.” His voice dropped. “It’s a good match, my sister. He is so not of his father, I would call him a changeling. At his last surrender, when his father again sent his son to command too few soldiers in an effort of folly, he knew it was lost before it had begun, and I could feel his frustration. He and his men fought with cunning and valor, regardless. His soldiers’ loyalty to him is so strong, it scents the air. This match will mean an alliance between our countries. And I cannot say I do not feel some relief for it also means I do not have to defeat such a valiant soldier again.”
One could not say I was overjoyed at the news that I would take to husband, a Wodell, prince or not.
What one could say was that I was being called to be in service to my people, and really, there was naught else that needed to be said.
“I will marry this prince, my king,” I told him simply so he would know I would do it willingly, because as king, he did not need my assent.
But as the Mars I’d grown up alongside, he would desire it.
“And when you do, you will drip the finery of our great nation, my little sister,” he replied.
I lifted my chin. “I already do.”
My breath caught as Mars’s eyes started to burn red.
I’d always loved his unusual ability to do that when he was feeling deeply.
It was a sight to behold too.
One of great beauty.
And one to fear.
King Mars Laches
King’s Study, First Floor, East Corridor, Catrame Palace
FIRENZE
“Lorenz,” Mars greeted, lifting his head from the papers he was studying as delivered of Lord Johan Mattson of the Arbor that were on his desk as his captain strode into his study. “You’re back from your travels with Nyx so soon? I didn’t expect you for another week.”
Lorenz threw his large frame in a chair in front of the desk.
“I followed a Go’Doan from the bazaar at the Tebes.”
Mars narrowed his eyes at his brother, asking, “And why did you do that?”
“Because Nyx was in a mood. This mood heightened when she saw him. And as her mood heightened, as it has a way of doing, so did mine. I took his arse for her. My wife was pleased. The false priest was not. And I thought nothing of it until the next day when his acolytes brought down his tent and one of them had a marked cheek and a swollen, broken lip.”
A burn hitting his throat, Mars sat back in his chair.
“Did you ask what he was doing in Firenze?” Mars inquired.
“He makes his way to Fire City, obviously, since I’m here. And he says he’s a teacher.”
“Do you think he’s a teacher?”
“No, I think he’s a maggot,” Lorenz said harshly. “And I think G’Dor was a Go’Doan before he renounced that faith to serve our king and marry Sofia. Though, it might prove true we would understand all too late why he didn’t renounce the name they gave him. And I do not have to tell you, Mars, I still do not believe the Go’Doan did not have anything to do with the murder of your father.”
“This was investigated thoroughly, Lorenz,” Mars said low.
“And you don’t believe they had nothing to do with it either,” Lorenz replied. “This is why you have them watched.”