Page 22 of Jon’s Desert Prince Dream

“We do value psychics, very much, but they should not have been forced to come to us. They should not have been brought in chains.” The king’s glare was letting up, and I could see his temptation to cut this conversation short as the very sight of Solomon irritated him. “You may inform your king that until he banishes slavery, in all forms, in Orleansa, we will not trade with him.”

Solomon jerked, his lines going haywire with panic and surprise, fear riding him hard. Oh, interesting—fear connected to his own king. I wondered what he’d been threatened with if he didn’t bring back a trade agreement? Could I hope it was serious enough to land the man in the gallows or a grave? The fear seemed strong enough.

“Your Majesty, surely we can come to some sort of understanding—”

“I will not do business with men who have no principals. You are not a trustworthy business partner. I will not speak again on this matter until you have met my demands.” The king turned his head, signaling to one of the guards stationed around the room. “Escort him out. He is to leave on the first boat in the morning.”

Solomon really panicked now, falling to his knees, begging. “Please, Your Majesty, I can’t go back like this! Truly, I apologize for the slaves. My king was sure you would like them! Look, you even kept one of them!”

“We offered them all refuge,” Prince Donovan corrected sharply. “They accepted it because they feared what would happen if they went back home with you. We’re not keeping your gift and making more demands, we are correcting your mistakes.”

Solomon’s face went white, his fear overtaking everything, including his common sense. Oh, looked like my guess was right, he was going to be in serious trouble if he returned empty-handed.

That warmed my soul.

Solomon was unceremoniously dragged kicking and begging out of the room, the guards having no mercy as they hauled him out. I smiled at the sight, knowing I’d look back on this evening with great satisfaction. Seeing someone get the justice they deserved was always a delightful thing.

“Jonathan?”

I turned to respond. “Yes, My Queen.”

“Why do you smile so?”

“This is a guess, but from his lines, I think he’s going to be in serious trouble when he returns empty-handed. From the depth of his fear, either prison or execution awaits him.”

“Oh.” She pondered for a moment. “I think that’s deserved. But truly, you can read that much?”

“As I said, an educated guess. I can’t always read everything, and sometimes I misinterpret what I do read. That’s even more so the case if I’m reading an animal.”

“But you can read animals?” Her shock was evident, and then she smiled with delight. “Come, sit with me, explain more about your ability. I have more questions.”

“As you please.” I took the cushion near her feet, as directed, and Prince Donovan shifted so he could stand nearby, which eased my apprehension a little. I didn’t know her as well as he did, and while she was a good person, it was still unnerving to speak to royalty.

I sat for a good hour, chatting with both her and the king, answering questions, and even doing some readings for them on various people. Eventually, they let me rest my eyes and eat a proper dinner, and I could tell Prince Donovan was very pleased with how this evening had progressed.

I looked about the room, at the people gathered here, and thought to myself, this is what my life would be like from now on. At least, if Prince Donovan chose to anchor with me, and I had a feeling he would.

Playing politics didn’t really appeal to me, but belonging to this man?

I’d trade the world to have Donovan of Havili.

8

I managed, somehow, to remain patient through the banquet. I wanted to sneak out early and take Jon with me, but he was making so many connections I didn’t dare. Many officials came by to introduce themselves, some to ask for a favor, and he needed those connections to form a life here with. So, we stayed.

You can bet I got him back to my rooms as soon as it finished. I still had his words ringing in my head. That’s entirely up to your son, he’d said, as if obviously it was solely my decision whether we’d bond or not.

How did I get it through his head that this wasn’t at all my decision, but his? I’d be honored and relieved if he wanted me, and of course I’d say yes—I was not an idiot. Why didn’t this man see he was the one with all the power here? Even as a Prince of Tennoa, he was more valuable than me.

I had a feeling it would take a while to get it through his head.

Jon entered the room, then spun about so he could look at me, eyes dancing with mirth. “You’re about to burst. Go on, say it.”

Of course he could read that too. “It is absolutely not my decision whether we bond. You’re the one with the power to make that decision.”

“Agree to disagree,” he retorted, still smiling.

“Jon.”