Page 64 of Obsidian Throne

“This is true. I do prefer my food not to stare back at me.” I cast a glance at the roasted hog. “Other than delicious little pigs, of course.”

“Of course,” he agreed, and the grin that stretched over his mouth was intoxicating.

Mila would have been proud. I successfully finished my bowl, to the surprise of at least three people at the table, four if I included myself.

No sooner had we started on the next course than Iiro cleared his throat.

“I thought we had a rather fruitful discussion today on the necessity of sharing our resources.” His pompous tone was far too satisfied, and I knew, somehow, this was directed at Evander. Sure enough, he glanced at my dear father-in-law.

“Of course,” Iiro continued. “Sir Aleksander and I had discussed it before, so I’m sure he will be more than prepared to sign on the new law tomorrow.”

He shot a politely questioning look at the duke in question.

“Isn’t that what you said, Sir Aleksander?”

Der’mo.

My husband subtly tensed beside me, and Aleksander blinked several times. He looked from Iiro to his crown, then at the rest of the table.

Evander had said the only thing his father held onto was his pride, that it was how he had managed to cover for as long as he did.

Sure enough, Aleksander nodded confidently. “It is as you say, Your Majesty.”

A muscle ticked in Evander’s jaw, and he glared at Iiro with thinly veiled suspicion. The other Dukes, even Theo, looked warily between Evander and his father.

What in the stars-damned-hell had just happened?

Theo cut in to smoothly change the subject, and the moment, whatever it had been, passed. At least, it did for everyone but Evander, who, for the first time since I had met him, actually had to put his hands under the table to conceal the way they trembled with rage.

Whatever Iiro had just done, it did not bode well for us.

* * *

After dinner, Iiro requested Theo’s presence in his drawing room, effectively dismissing the rest of us. It was probably the only decent thing he had done today.

Or ever.

Everyone slowly trickled out of the dining hall into one of the parlors or their rooms. Evander and I chose the latter after making sure Aleksander made it to his without any issues.

As soon as the door closed behind us, I turned to Evander.

“Do you want to tell me what the hell just happened?”

He met my eyes from where he was already pouring us both a glass of vodka. “Iiro sowing seeds of dissension. He wants to tax forty percent of the food, including your dowry.”

“What?” I said sharply. The people needed more than that. “Can you say no?”

He crossed the space between us, handing me my glass before downing his in one go. “I could have, if my father hadn’t just said yes.”

I cursed, but something in Evander’s face gave me even more pause.

“What else?”

“This is twice now he’s baited me into publicly disagreeing with my father. I can’t tell if this is a general tactic to undermine me so it’s easier for him to get his way, or…” He sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb. “Something else.”

The prickling along my spine intensified, and I glanced warily out of the large, bay window. Sure enough, ominous black clouds skated in from the distance.

It felt like more than that, though.