“I’m not marrying your sister,” King Navok said, a dark, amused grin stretching across his face. “I’m marrying you.”
Chapter Six
For a long moment, Kiva couldn’t string a thought together, her mind frozen in the wake of Navok’s declaration. But then everything inside her sped up as panic set in, her heart pounding as she tried to recall the conversation she’d had with Zuleeka in the dungeon beneath the River Palace.
Are you marrying King Navok? Kiva had asked, incredulous. Was that part of the deal?
Mother didn’t know about the Royal Ternary — she didn’t know there might be another legitimate way, her sister had replied defensively, before sharing the plan to ally the rebels with Mirraven’s forces, all to help them conquer Evalon and guarantee a Corentine would sit on the throne — even if that Corentine was married to a Kildarion.
It was only now that Kiva realized what hadn’t been said: Zuleeka had never confirmed that she was the daughter their mother had promised to Navok during her godsforsaken deal. She’d skirted Kiva’s question entirely, offering no clue as to what might await Kiva should the northern king get his hands on her.
“You look shocked,” Navok said, breaking into Kiva’s spiraling thoughts.
She wasn’t shocked. She was horrified.
“In all fairness,” he went on, “Tilda did come here seeking to unite me with your sister. But I could see her desperation in wanting to reach you, so it didn’t take much for me to uncover her belief that you were the more powerful of her daughters — and therefore, the only one I was willing to bind myself to.” He laughed. “Why in the everworld she thought I’d accept anything but the best, I’ll never know.”
Quick as a flash, Navok reached out and traced his fingers down Kiva’s cheek. She reared away from his touch, moving dangerously close to the fireplace, causing his humor to grow.
Needing some distance, Kiva edged around the lounge, feeling immediate relief now that she wasn’t at risk of catching alight — and now that she wasn’t so close to the king. To her betrothed.
Gods, she was going to be sick.
“There’s been a mistake,” Kiva said hoarsely. “I’m not more powerful than Zuleeka. Not even close. Whatever deal you made —”
“It’s already done.” Navok waved a dismissive hand, before reclaiming his chalice and taking a sip. “All the arrangements are in place — we’re to wed in two days.”
Two days?
Kiva swayed on the spot.
Navok prowled close again, moving like lightning to flick the amulet at her chest. “Zuleeka wrote me and said she wishes for you to keep this. A reminder, she claimed. But I don’t obey your sister — and I don’t enjoy seeing you wear my enemy’s crest.” His gaze darkened. “You have until we’re husband and wife, then I never want to see this again. Is that clear?”
Kiva stared at him, unable to process everything — or anything. Somehow, she managed to croak out, “Is Zuleeka coming for the — for the —” Everworld help her, she couldn’t even say the word, now that she knew her role in it.
Navok smirked. “For the wedding? No. Your sister is in Vallenia, cleaning up the mess she made. Unsurprisingly, she’s having some trouble keeping her new citizens in line. And since I’m sure you’re wondering, your brother has no idea where you are, let alone any knowledge about our upcoming nuptials.”
Kiva’s heart fell at the confirmation, her hopes dashed.
“My sister will be coming here for it, though,” Navok continued. “She’s on her way from Terith with her betrothed, Voshell. I sent her to be with his family for the spring, but they’re due to return tomorrow, just in time to witness our auspicious day.”
Despite everything, Kiva’s brow furrowed. “I thought once Mirryn was queen, you agreed to release your sister from her betrothal so they could be together?”
Navok sipped his drink again, eyeing Kiva over the rim. “Serafine is better off with Voshell.”
Kiva’s eyes narrowed. “You mean, Mirraven is better off bound to Caramor by marriage?”
As much as she hated Mirryn for what she’d done, Kiva still felt a hint of sympathy for how devastated the princess must be, having betrayed her whole family to be with her love — only for Navok to have reneged on his side of the deal.
The king shrugged his broad shoulders, but his gaze was cunning as he answered, “We are all pawns in the game of life. My sister understands what her value is, just as she knows what her sacrifice will do for our kingdom. Voshell is a weak prince. Serafine is a weaker princess. When they are king and queen, they’ll look to me for guidance; it’ll be as if I’m running their kingdom. Mirraven, Caramor, Evalon — Wenderall’s three largest powers, all under my thumb. The other nations will have no choice but to fall in line.” There was a glint in his eyes, as if he had greater plans than what he was sharing, but he revealed nothing else.
Kiva was so stunned by his intentions that she could only say, “You don’t have Evalon yet.”
“It’s as good as mine,” he returned.
Kiva doubled down. “Their armies won’t allow an invasion.”
“You forget, your sister rules those armies now. And if they don’t yield to her, then her rebels will clear the way.”
She shook her head. “Jaren and Caldon will stop you. Ashlyn, too.” Caldon’s sister was the general of Evalon’s forces. From everything Kiva had heard, there was no way she’d allow Mirraven to succeed.
Navok grinned. “I’d like to see them try.”
Kiva changed tactics. “You don’t know Zuleeka. You speak of pawns, but now that she has the crown, she’ll never give it up.”
The dark look in Navok’s eyes deepened. “She won’t have a choice.” He downed the last of his liquor. “Whether she acknowledges it or not, your sister is merely keeping my new throne warm.”
Kiva snorted. Clearly the king had yet to witness Zuleeka’s death magic. Once he did, maybe then he would realize he’d chosen the wrong sister to tie himself to.
“I can see this amuses you,” Navok said. “If you think I’m unaware of your sister’s . . . skills . . . then you’re sorely mistaken. But I’m not without my own weapons. One of which is you, my dear bride.”
Any humor Kiva felt vanished at the reminder.
Before she could ask what he meant, he continued, his tone lightening, “Speaking of which, I have a wedding gift for you.”
He curled his fingers around her elbow, herding her forward.
“Come with me,” he said, uncaring that she was trying to tug her way free. “I think you’ll like this.”
Giving her no choice, Navok escorted her from his receiving room, the two Gray Guards who had been stationed outside the doors falling into step behind them.
Kiva still had so many questions, but after everything she’d just learned, her mind had gone blank, switching to survival mode. During their entire walk through the castle and down lengthy stone staircases, she remained silent, gathering her thoughts — and her courage — for whatever the king was leading her toward.