Chapter 24

My eyes rapidly darted between Eliasson and Xylan. They were throwing words back and forth, and I was struggling to keep up. And that was without mentioning that I was completely shocked at their behaviour.

I had thought after a few days rest from meetings some of the tensions would lift. But I was wrong. They’d been simmering away and were now being brought to a thunderous boil right before my eyes.

Eliasson’s hand slapped the table so hard it made me flinch. I’d never seen him lose his temper like this before. ‘What do you mean there’s no more farming equipment being made for the next quarter?’ Eliasson roared.

Xylan glared icily at him, and asked, ‘Do you require a translation using hand signs?’ He didn’t wait for a reply, mockingly acting out a sign for ‘no’, ‘equipment’ and put up three fingers to signal the quarter.

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.

‘Hey!’ I shouted at Eliasson as he suddenly grabbed my coffee mug and launched it straight at Xylan’s face. Xylan ducked his head to the side and the cup crashed into the wall. The resulting splash would be hard to remove.

The King of Marlyst had murder in his eyes as he stood up. Orlandia’s hand launched out to grab her brother, shoving him back into his seat.

‘Rule number five of the housekeeping list: no throwing things. Rule number seven: no fights,’ she said in a detached manner. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was rather enjoying this spectacle. Her comment served to bring the tension back down to a simmer.

My husband let out a huge breath, cracking his neck and regaining control of his emotions. ‘That was out of line. I apologise,’ he said.

Xylan waved off the apology. ‘I provoked you. I’m partly to blame.’

His response had everyone raising their eyebrows in shock. Including Slaviya.

‘What?’ Xylan grumbled, reading the room. ‘I can admit when I’ve gone a bit far. You’ve got to admit though, my hand signs were spot on.’

This time, I couldn’t hold back on the giggle that escaped my lips.

Eliasson looked at me with disapproval. ‘Hey, remember whose side you’re on,’ he berated, agitated.

‘Yes, Valare, remember whose side you’re on,’ Xylan parroted, eyes twinkling, no doubt thinking of the kiss we shared and the fact we were True Infinites.

‘What the fuck is that supposed to mean?’ Eliasson growled, looking between Xylan and me. Apparently, he’d also picked up on the underlying hint.

I kept my mouth shut as eyes fell on me, waiting for a response. Well, they could wait all they liked. No good could come out of my responding.

‘I think they’re just jealous of our little secret, young Queen,’ Ramone fake whispered, clearly knowing there was more going on and taking the bullet for me. Bless this man.

‘What secret?’ Both Kings spoke accusingly at the same time. Oh my Goddess. They were both acting like jealous overprotective boyfriends.

‘Nothing. I am merely a note-taker in this meeting. I apologise for adding my coppers worth in, I will return to my task. Where was I?’ he tapped the pen on his chin, feigning deep thought. He raised the pen as his eyes lit up and returned to writing, ‘Oh. Right. The King of Marlyst used his hands to signal ‘no’ and ‘equipment’ before –’

‘That section won’t be required in the meeting notes,’ Xylan winced, cutting off Ramone.

‘Then how do you suggest I explain King Eliasson throwing a coffee cup at your head and missing?’ Ramone blinked innocently.

‘It’ll simply look as though he’s very passionate about pitchforks. That, or he’s psychotic. Both options are correct.’ Xylan shrugged, deliberately setting things off again.

As Eliasson launched into another heated exchange with Xylan, I made eye contact with Ramone. He threw me an amused grin and a wink. Mission to divert the attention off Valare: successful. I loved this man. Maybe I could convince Qynthia to let him join the Arloman ranks as our scribe. The Goddess knows I needed more allies.

‘Back to the matter at hand,’ Eliasson’s voice boomed. ‘Presuming the vote is in favour of cross-collaboration, the equipment supply situation will become even more of an issue. How do you suggest resolving this?’

‘This is a business transaction, Eliasson. I provide you with equipment if it’s available. Currently, there’s a shortage of materials. If it’s not available, that’s on you to figure out how your Dom will proceed.’

Coming from anyone else, Xylan’s statement would be just that, a statement. But from him, right now? There was a challenge in those words. Like he was assessing how Eliasson would bounce back.

The room looked on silently, waiting to see how Eliasson would counter Xylan’s challenge. Would he simply take his word for it? Or fight back? Either way, I was staying out of it. My gut was telling me I was the last person who should interfere here.

‘We have a fair bit of equipment currently out of service that our people don’t have the skills to fix. With a bit of work, we should be able to have them reinstated to their former glory,’ Eliasson thought out loud, arms crossed. ‘I could organise for them to be delivered to the blacksmith villages in the south of your Dom.’

I saw a flash of approval in Xylan’s eyes before he donned a mask of indifference. ‘It’ll cost you.’

Eliasson scoffed. ‘It’ll cost me? Last I checked, it’s your Dom’s responsibility to ensure mine have the tools to provide food for the rest of the continent.’

‘That is correct. However, you didn’t hear me complaining when you informed us that our wine shipments would be halted for the next week or so,’ Xylan countered, raising an unimpressed brow.

‘You can’t compare the two!’ Eliasson spluttered. ‘Wine is a luxury, farming equipment is essential.’

‘Speak for yourself. After this Forum, wine is a pre-requisite for keeping my sanity in check,’ Xylan remarked. This man was outrageous.

Orlandia and the Nyarelleans chuckled. I pursed my lips, suppressing my own giggle, conscious of Eliasson and Slaviya’s eyes burning holes through me.

After it was apparent Eliasson would not gift him a response to his dramatic comments, Xylan relented. ‘Fine, I’ll take a personal delivery of your next batch of wine in exchange for my blacksmith’s services.’

Eliasson rolled his eyes. ‘Consider it done. I’ll deliver it personally.’

‘Dashing as you are, Eliasson, I’m not interested in a personal delivery from you.’

‘Who, then?’ Eliasson demanded.

I felt my cheeks heat as Xylan focused his attention on me.

‘Be reasonable,’ Eliasson growled, perfectly reading what he was alluding to. He placed a possessive arm over my shoulders, pulling me tight against his side. I suppressed a surprised noise at his overt claim. What’s gotten into him?

‘I’m nothing if not reasonable.’ Xylan purposefully drew out the moment.

I scowled, folding my arms as I shrugged Eliasson’s arm off me. I wasn’t impressed with either of them right now. I wasn’t a piece of meat to be bartered with. I could almost feel their egos growing as they stared at one another. Testosterone filled the air, making me tempted to react with a dramatic gagging noise. They were being ridiculous.

A grin formed on the King of Marlyst’s face as he stared directly at me. ‘It will be delivered by your Queen,’ he said.

I gaped at him, wondering what he was playing at.

‘No,’ Eliasson snarled.

Xylan feigned disappointment. ‘Are you going back on your word King Eliasson? You’ve agreed to delivery. I can assure you that your precious wife will be safe in my Dom. It would be an opportunity for her to see part of the Marlyst Kingdom.’

‘No,’ he said. ‘Valare isn’t leaving Arlom without me.’ His voice rung with finality.

I wanted to scream and remind them that I’m right here and capable of making my own decisions.

‘Oh? Is that so?’ Xylan tutted. ‘Well, I guess there’s no deal then.’

Eliasson released some colourful curse words under his breath as his fists clenched by his sides. I could see him fighting himself, weighing his options. Xylan was being difficult and clearly wasn’t willing to compromise with this. And Eliasson knew he had to get this across the line otherwise his farmers would struggle. The question was, would he choose to help his people or choose to keep me in Arlom, away from Xylan.

It didn’t surprise me one bit when he chose the former. He always placed the needs of his Dom above his own.

‘Fine. Valare will deliver your wine on the condition that you’ll be at the border to escort her. I won’t compromise on her safety while she’s in another Dom,’ he responded.

I wanted to tell him that my safety wasn’t his concern. Never has been, and never will be. Plus, I can take care of myself just fine.

‘Of course,’ Xylan taunted. ‘I’ll personally see to her wellbeing.’

Did I want to know what his version of ‘seeing to my wellbeing’ was? Partly yes. Partly no.

I stood, raising my voice before Eliasson could interject or Xylan poked him further. ‘Well, now that you two have talked about me like I’m not here, I’m requesting a break. I need to get away from the insufferable amount of testosterone in the air.’

Laughter filled the room as I took my leave to hide behind a pillar as the others walked out, not wanting them to see where I would go. But Eliasson and Xylan stayed behind.

I caught the eyes of Mer, who was walking past, holding a bundle of linen. I grabbed her, pulling her next to me. Miming for her to zip her lips, I pointed to the room I’d just vacated.

‘What the fuck are you playing at Xy?’ I heard Eliasson demand. I didn’t know they were on a nickname basis.

‘I’m not playing. I’m simply claiming what’s mine. And simultaneously reminding you what isn’t yours,’ Xylan replied fiercely before storming out of the room.

Damn. Our jaws dropped, eyes widened in mutual shock.

‘What the fuck was that?’ Mer mouthed.

What the fuck, indeed.