Page 88 of Microburst

Liar. We both knew it, but it was funny.

And evidently it was the talk we both needed too because we were lighter as we went inside. I knew I slept better as well,ready for the next drama to come… Because there would always be more drama around the corner.

Always.

23

Sagan

And to prove me right, the next morning after breakfast, Princess Makeda from Virryr arrived and that was expected… Who she brought with her wasn’t.

I raised an eyebrow at Prince Olwen who was a friend but also second in line to the throne of Danyl. I mentally cursed when I saw several Alphas off to the side. They had invited themselves to discuss their new housing in the capital, but really other things I wouldn’t probably like.

So that was shitty timing.

Olwen seemed to realize that but also looked decided and shocked everyone there when he greeted me formally… In his native language. “It is my honor to be welcomed in your home, to finally visit the great nation of Thovudin, and see you are well for myself, Queen Sagan De la Rosa.”

“You’re always welcome here, Prince Olwen of Danyl,” I replied back, ignoring when several mouths fell open. “But you’re up to something and you know I prefer a heads-up.” I glanced at Makeda. “I’m sorry you were delayed, but I’m a bit shocked at this pairing.”

We greeted each other formally and she leaned in and whispered. “He was of help, as was your uncle. Father wasn’t going to let me go to become just an aide to another bitch queen.Your uncle implied that I was a bit too young, but gorgeous, and with time, the age gap could be explained. Or since Olwen was around, maybe an alliance could be formed there.”

I gave Fraser a wink and he slightly nodded, his shoulders a bit tense as if not knowing if he overstepped, but also that there was clearly more to the story.

I bet. We didn’t have a good relationship with Virryr and with good reason. The king was a sexist piece of shit and fucking nuts. The only reason he had any power or sway was because his family lucked out.

Literally. Their lands sat on the biggest gold, gem, and oil deposits in the world. Of course one asshole had all of that.

Andof coursehaving all of that made him a complete asshole.

Olwen came closer and grabbed my arms and touched his cheek to mine, which was a normal greeting in Danyl between acquaintances no matter their rank. I held my hand out at my side and continued with it, but only had eyes for the guards at the door when I pulled away.

“Make it clear to Benson that learning foreign greetings will be required for all Queen’s Guards in a trainingsoon,” I said firmly. “It’s an embarrassing oversight you didn’t know something so basic when you handle the entrance of the ruler’s castle where guests are received.” I focused back on Olwen. “I apologize and hope you don’t take insult.”

“Never,” he said with a soft smile and let me go.

I studied him carefully. “Why are you here, Olwen? Everything hasn’t been settled with the law study exchange program. You came with Makeda as an excuse, so you’re up to something.”

He held out his hand to me with emotion dancing in his eyes, a determination I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen there before. “Get up, princess. We are royals, and we never let them leave usbroken or bleeding. We break them. We bathe in their blood if necessary, and we do it with smiles because we were born into the families that shield our people.

“A broken shield protects no one, so if the beating you are taking is too much, you ally with another shield who can withstand it with you—hold the line and handle the fight with you. Get up and don’t ever let them insult us again. Stop trying to handle it on your own and understand that some fights aren’t only for you to fight; you just need the right allies.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth and smirked at him. “Now I have to explain that to several people and probably what happened next. Thanks, Olwen.”

He threw back his head and laughed, the booming noise echoing in the large area. He was beaming at me when he settled some. “You’ve already let it out that you’re kickass, Sagan. You saved Myriam. No one with a brain would think she’s the only one.”

“Probably not, but now people will want details,” I grumbled.

And they weren’t pretty.

Not even remotely.

I’d found Olwen beaten to shit, bleeding with several broken bones, and helped him without knowing the full story… Which was that they were friends of his older brother who was going to be king. It was basically a message from the future king to his younger brother to remember his place and stay in his lane.

And the future Queen of Thovudin got involved and sided with the one who wouldn’t be king.

Whoops?

Not really since my parents never found out, and I’d said something later to Olwen’s brother at an event that I wasn’t a fan of people who didn’t protect their own and his brother was his blood. He should protect Olwen first, especially when Olwenalways made it clear he supported his brother and didn’t want to be king.