Page 59 of Obsidian Throne

“It’s a pleasure to have you all here. I am sure your journey was tiring, so let us eat first,” he said, gesturing at the piles of food on silver plates. “Business can wait until tomorrow.”

There was nothing ostensibly threatening in the words, nothing that should have given me pause.

But the way Iiro glanced at Evander from the corner of his eye made me feel like someone was walking on my grave.

Or worse, my husband’s.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

ROWAN

The next morning, Evander woke up at his usual ridiculous hour. I groaned, dragging myself out of the plush bed as well. It wasn’t as comfortable as ours, but it was still rather heavenly, especially after a week of travel.

“You may as well rest,” Evander advised. “You know Iiro won’t allow a woman in his council room.”

In my time at Bear, I had managed to let myself forget how very uninvolved women were everywhere else in Socair.

“Stars, he’s such an arsehat,” I muttered, settling back into the deep purple covers. “Whatever shall I do with my day then?”

Evander shot me a glance that had me tensing in suspicion. “I believe there’s a brunch this morning with the ladies.”

“Ah. So while you’re in the Council Room making actual decisions, I’ll be enjoying brunch with Ava and Galina, who most certainly despises me?” I narrowed my eyes at him, a different sort of suspicion overtaking me. I had always assumed she didn’t like me because of Theo, but... “Der’mo, Evander. Not her, too.”

He chuckled, an infuriatingly arrogant sound, then crossed over to settle on the bed next to me.

“Have I told you how endearing I find this irrational jealousy,Lemmikki?”

“I like to consider it more of a completely rational territorialism.” I peered up at him. “Also, that’s not an answer.”

He shook his head, leaning down to kiss me on the forehead. “No, not her. As I have told you several times now, my...encounters were few and far between, and not generally at court.”

I wasn’t sure whether or not I should be pleased by that admission, but at least I didn’t have to worry about an added complication.

Evander left after that, and I ordered a bath, trying to prolong the inevitable. I took my time both in the tub and slowly drying my hair before I finally went to get dressed.

As always, I started with my underthings, then my weapon. Or, I would have.

My thigh sheath was right where I left it the night before, on the dresser next to the bed.

But the dagger was gone.

In fairness, Evander and I had been...rather spirited the night before. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time we had knocked something off furniture. Just last week, I had lost my wedding ring for two days behind the side table.

I dropped to my knees with a sigh, looking under the bed. The wooden frame was massive, though, and it was impossible to see behind.

Cursing, I got to my feet. Since I couldn’t very well tell anyone else I was missing the dagger I wasn’t supposed to be wearing, I would have to wait until Evander got back to help me move the furniture.

And if he needed help, he could always claim it was his dagger, large bare breasts and all.

The thought made me smile, and it was almost enough to forget that I would be walking around Iiro’s castle unarmed.

Unprotected.

Vulnerable.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

EVANDER