Page 95 of Black Crown

A low growl rolled out from his lips across the table, making the glasses shake and the silverware rattle against the wood.

I straightened, squaring my shoulders. Even knowing he would feel the insincerity of my humility, I kept my gaze down.

“Yes,” he said. “But even with the insincerity, your actions are moving in a more desirable direction. And, you misunderstand me, heir. I would not have us be enemies.Idon’t see any difference between humans and cattle.Youhave made your opinion on the matter quite clear.”

“So you’re saying this meat is cow; it’s not human?”

“It is cow,” he said simply. “Now eat it.”

My distrust did not ease as my father sliced into the meat, bringing bite after bite to his lips. The rest of the Drae women followed his example, but still I couldn’t bring myself to eat from the thick slice.

I ate the roasted potatoes, parsnips, and carrots. I added more butter to my bread and ate all of it, sipping on the wine and water by my plate. I kept my gaze fixated on the meat, cutting into it and then pushing the pieces aside for something else until it was the only thing remaining on my plate.

“You do not believe me?” he asked, his irritation pulsing through our bond. “Have I ever lied to you? Have I ever betrayed your trust?”

“What kind of question is that?” I replied. “You’ve stolen my will at least four times.” I met his gaze and continued, slowly, convinced of the veracity of my accusations. “And youwouldlie and betray me if it served your purpose. I can feel it right now through our bond.”

And through the bond, I could feel his surprise and then pride at my comment. I could also tell he was telling the truth about the meat. I picked up my knife and fork again and cut a large piece of meat and then stuck it in my mouth.

Just like my bond with Tyrrik, this bond with my father went both ways. Useful? Perhaps? I didn’t need help seeing—

Stop thinking while you’re ahead, Ryn, I reminded myself.

33

We finished our meal, and the emperor cleared his throat. I felt him gather up the energy of our bond, and I glanced inward, seeing the mossy power webbing still obscured my thread-like link to my Drae power. He wasn’t completely gone, however I could still feel his sick anticipation.

Something awful was about to happen.

Druman filed into the room, surrounding the walls two layers deep. Their unwashed, disgusting presence extended out into the hall, dozens of them waiting to act on the will of their master.

The energy of the female Drae around the table shifted, going from mild content to anxious and tense trepidation.

Draedyn leaned forward, dark eyes bright. “I find our bond increasingly fascinating, heir. I’ve found when you become excessively emotional, your energy, thoughts, and feelings permeate my mind. While I know you could control and stop me seeing and feeling your thoughts if I give you access to your Drae powers, I’m not sure I will ever want to give this up. I’ve discovered so much through you.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

He licked his lips and pushed his chair back. “No, I don’t suspect you do. Come,” he said, standing. “Let’s go out on the balcony. Draeryn and Draelyz, you will join us.”

I whipped my head to look at my aunt. That wasn’t a good sign. She and the female Drae across from her paled, and Druman pulled their chairs out from the table.

Draelyz stood, resting her hands on the table, and my aunt rushed around the foot of the table to help the other Drae forward. Frozen with fear? Yeah, I’d been there, done that.

“Did you know,” Draedyn asked, linking his arm through mine.

What the hay? We were on linking arms terms now?

If the thought had reached him, he ignored it, saying, “The Drae women used to try to defy me all the time. Your mother was usually an instigator.”

I yanked my arm from his and said, “That doesn’t surprise me much.”

He smiled, fangs elongating past his lips. “No, I don’t suspect it does.”

Druman herded the other two Drae out onto the balcony and then stood shoulder to shoulder to cut them off from the rest of the room.

The orange-and-red rays of the dying sun glistened over the water. Smoke still rose from within Azule in the distance but much less than yesterday. The tang of ash coated the air. I stepped past my father, yearning to reach out to Tyrrik, regardless of the danger and stupidity of doing so.

I took a deep breath and pivoted to the two female Drae.