Page 41 of Queen’s Gambit

‘So Orm said. I’m going to hang the tailor. Shall we, my queen?’ I asked, wrapping her hand around my arm.

Sana walked into the ballroom, full of the most powerful people in the Tir ha Mor continent, her head held high and a smile on her lips, making every inconvenience worth it.

‘King Reynard Erenhart, Sovereign of Dagome, and Lady Roksana Regnav,’ the Chamberlain bellowed, and everyone stood for our entrance.

I watched the reactions of those gathered as we passed: the smiles, the narrowing eyes, careful expressions offering nothing but bland smiles and nods. The only issue appeared when Lilliana entered, escorted by Irsha, and the Lumivitae delegation turned their faces away. All except Prince Iasno’ta, who welcomed her entrance with an unreadable expression.

Lilliana didn’t flinch, and while she was still pale after her ordeal, her poise was immaculate, just as I remembered from the House of Lillies.

‘Welcome, all, to our celebration for the changing of seasons, in the hope Perun, the god of thunder, will grace us with his blessings tonight. Please dance, eat and be merry,’ I welcomed the gathered guests before gesturing for them to carry on their evening.

The crowd returned to their conversations as I bent down to Roksana.

‘Ready to dance, sweet Viper? No one dares to step on the floor before the king has had his fill,’ I asked, reaching for her hand.

Roksana moved with grace, letting me lead. I remembered our first dance, how her braid unfolded, winding around my throat. If only I could recreate the scene, it would be a perfect canvas for my proposal later. My nostrils flared when I looked at her cropped hair. One more thing Tivala would pay for.

On my signal, the musicians began playing. The tune I chose had nothing to do with ceremonial courtly dances. The Obraka required strength, agility, and trust.

Sana’s eyebrow rose. ‘Are you trying to impress them with your berserker strength?’

I raised her hand to my lips before giving her a spin.

‘What if I am?’

‘Then I hope you remember not to throw me so high they can see my knickers.’

I roared, my laughter drowning out the music, then spun her around. I fucking love you, Sana. My heart was hammering in my chest when, with another spin, I threw her up only to catch her gracefully as she fell.

‘Your knickers are only for me to see. You are mine. I can’t remember a world without you in it. I don’t want to remember it. It was a sad, dull place,’ I declared, guiding her through the next steps.

‘You are begrudgingly whimsical today, Kingling.’ She grinned, another thread of tension melting from her stiff posture. ‘Still talking about women’s underwear when you’re about to declare war. Is that wise?’

‘What do you think? Should I talk about how I’m going to rip them off you the first chance we get instead? War only makes sense if you protect the living.’ My hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her to my chest, and I leant in to whisper against her ear. ‘And you make me feel very alive.’

Roksana’s laughter filled the ballroom. I barely noticed the other couples joining in, attempting the difficult steps and perilous lifts of the Obraka. All I could see were Sana’s luminous eyes as they brightened the world for me.

The dance ended sooner than I wanted, and we returned to the dais, letting those gathered relax, unrestrained by the king’s presence. The atmosphere felt almost normal. People were laughing, with the Dark Fae and the Orcs lightening the mood with their disregard for protocol.

The orcish tribes weren’t aware of it, but Arean? That male was a royal consort. Talena, his empress, wouldn’t allow such unrestrained behaviour. Still, I didn’t mind. As long as everything went exactly as planned, they could drink themselves under the table and sleep the night away.

‘It’s time,’ I said after an hour had passed, wiping my palms on the fabric of my trousers.

‘I’m… it’s daunting,’ Sana whispered, and I swallowed hard.

‘If you don’t want—’ I started, but she shook her head.

‘I want you so much I almost don’t care that all eyes are on me, making me sweat. Now, on your knees, king. Get on with it.’ She chuckled, smoothing an invisible wrinkle on her dress. ‘Just give this moment space to breathe. I don’t want my only betrothal to be overshadowed by war.’

I nodded to the Chamberlain, who silenced the musicians with a succinct gesture while Inga Tivala stepped out of the crowd as agreed. Each step she took echoed like thunder on the marble floor, or maybe that was the beating of my heart.

‘You all know the story about my relationship with Lady Tivala and how I supposedly asked for her hand in marriage. Let us hear her side.’ I gestured to Inga, who approached the dais.

Sana’s eyes widened, uncertainty flashing in her expression. I’d planned this little stunt with her friends, but seeing how she shifted on her feet, glancing at the door, my brilliant idea didn’t feel so brilliant anymore. Still, it was too late to stop now.

Inga didn’t disappoint.

The attending guests’ eyes widened as she described her father’s atrocities and how Roksana helped her escape his clutches.