Page 51 of Of Bargains & Betrayal

I didn’t have the faintest idea what he could mean about these dyrehorses—I’d dealt with some pretty inscrutable equines in all my years in cavalry service—but I’d have to take his word for it. Who knew if I’d just caught the king in a good mood, despite the argument I’d interrupted, or if he was always so agreeable. But it wasn’t the time to squander my opportunity.

I pulled back my shoulders and said, “I also need someone to tutor me. About Grimmoria. If I am to be your…wife…” Goddess, that felt strange. “It’ll be important for me to know about this place, its people. It’s history.”

The smile on Maksym’s face that felt genuine a moment ago shifted into something predatory as he stalked closer until I was left with little personal space again. Even though it drove me crazy to do it, I let my attention drift up to look him in those terrifying amber eyes. It was better than staring at his chest, wondering how he managed to smell just like the first frost of fall.

“You mean,” he drawled, “that as my wife and my queen, you should know more about this place that is your home, and our people, right?” I nodded, finding no words to confirm the gravity of that, and he looked satisfied. “Jasper will see you thoroughly tutored in necessities in time for the Agōn Ferr, and we’ll figure the rest from there.”

“Right,” I breathed.

There was that to be thankful for, at least. Even though I didn’t entirely understand what would be in store for me with this Agōn Ferr—other than proving my worth, of course—the preparation for it would at least serve as a healthy distraction. I hoped.

I was distracted enough then that I barely registered the king shifting until he had my chin in his lithe fingers, tipping my head from side to side subtly, like I was some object to be examined.

“Anything else to add to your list of demands, Miss Wynn?” he asked, eyes harsh and appraising. “I’m finding my charitable nature is waning.”

“Partners,” I rasped, and Maksym’s eyebrows climbed as he released me.

“Go on…”

“I know how marriages to kings work. How unbalanced they are.” Grasping a tiny thread of confidence, I straightened my shoulders. “If you are allowed to take partners outside our marriage, then so am I.”

He blinked, and the look of surprise on his face only deepened. “It’s very bold of you to assume I’d leave you so unsatisfied, you’d even wish to seek other partners.”

A scoff crawled out of me. What a fucking arrogant man.

“And it’s bold of you to think so highly of yourself when you know nothing of me.”

His jaw hardened, amber eyes narrowing in appraisal, before a look of unnerving realization dawned on him. “If you’re allowed other partners, and I’m allowed other partners…what about another partner together, hm?”

I stiffened.

“Together?” The word came out as more of a cough, and Maksym only nodded, though I heard his mage sigh as he continued scrawling away. “That would be…fine. In theory.”

The king cocked a brow before he turned and strode back to the table, calling back, “Only in theory? Do go on, Miss Wynn.”

A rush of heat blossomed in my chest as I stuttered, “You can’t just agree to a…a threesome once and never talk about it again. It needs to be agreed upon every time by all parties.”

It shouldn’t have been a relief that the king looked appreciative, albeit a bit amused, while I was ready to crawl out of my own damned skin.

In all the reenacting I’d done in my mind of the terms I’d ask for—if I’d even been given the chance—all I had wanted to do was ensure some measure of equality would apply in this forced union. I hadn’t expected it would devolve into any discussion around sharing our marital bed.

“Jasper?” Maksym didn’t bother to respond to me before he sat on the edge of the table again and glanced over at his mage. “Can you note Miss Wynn is tentative for, and also possibly experienced in, polyamorous relations?”

The mage made an undoubtedly disappointed tsk but kept scribbling away. Meanwhile, my blouse had stuck to my back from just how hot the room had become.

“Anything else to add?” Maksym asked as he glanced back at me.

I shook my head.

Surely, there had been other things I’d dreamed up, but they had long since vacated my mind, and I was desperately hoping the entire notion of a threesome involving the man I was being forced to marry would vacate with them.

“Very well then.” The king extended a hand toward me and beckoned with his fingers. “I accept your terms, Miss Wynn. Let us seal our bargain for your life properly.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, but Maksym motioned me over again.

“What?” he chuckled. “If you thought we’d just shake hands and be done with it, you’re sorely mistaken. Call it a safety measure if you want, but I’d like to ensure we are both fully committed to seeing this agreement through, and that requires a proper vow of blood.”

Of course, I’d heard of the bargains, or vows, or blood oaths, that dark fae were fond of, though the practices were outlawed in Odessa. We had a high enough population of citizens from mixed backgrounds, and even refugees from the Wastes, that it would have been impossible not to learn little fragments of the practice. They involved the connection to dark magic Odessans—and even high fae—did not possess, and they could have fatal repercussions if their terms were broken.