14. Renowlf

"Is everything ready?"I ask Dolphus when he enters my quarters. Like me, he is dressed for battle, his finest weapons strapped to his chest, his sword hanging from his hip.

"Almost. People are gathered in the town square, the Elders are seated on the dais, and Rayowlf has taken her place beside your throne. The guards are in position as well, and the celebratory feast is ready to be served. There is just one problem…"

"What is it?" I try to hide my impatience. After all, preparing for this event with little notice is no small task.

"It is the Earth human, sire. Agavar tells me she refuses to get dressed or leave her room."

"Refuses?"

"Yes. According to Agavar, the female is quite agitated and says she will not be publicly humiliated again. Would you like me to have the healer give her a calming potion?"

"No." I do not want Mia sedated. I want her fully alert when I present her to my subjects. "I will retrieve her myself."

Dolphus blocks my exit. "There is one more thing you should know."

"And what is that?" I bark, my patience finally slipping.

"Bayliss paid a visit to the human female and told her she was your intended queen."

My beast roars within me. No wonder Mia expects to be humiliated when I address my subjects. "How was this allowed to happen?"

"Bayliss has free rein of the palace due to your…relationship…with her."

"Not anymore," I say, my thoughts dark. "As of now, her access is limited to the dining hall and the east wing living quarters. Make the security changes immediately, and inform the servants."

"Yes, sire. Shall I have Bayliss removed from the royal seating area?"

"Leave her be. I want her there when I make my announcement. She is the one who will be humiliated this time."

Dolphus lays a hand on my forearm, a familiar gesture he has not made since I assumed the throne. "Are you certain that is wise, Renowlf? Bayliss can be cruel and vindictive when crossed."

"Wise? No. Yet she must be put in her place," I tell him. "If it makes you feel better, add extra guards to the palace patrol, and have one of your best spies keep an eye on Bayliss for a while."

Dolphus nods. "Shall I accompany you to the medical wing?"

"No." I tuck my crown under my arm and slide my sword into the sheath at my hip. "You take care of the security changes. I will get Mia and meet you on the palace steps. You may escort us to the town square."

Mia

"Your bath is ready, miss," the young orc maid says, her head bowed. I don't understand why she treats me like I'm special, like I'm something more than Renowlf's slave. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"No, thanks. I'm going to soak in the tub and hit the hay early." In addition to running my bath, she tidied my room, changed my bedding, and brought in a platter of food big enough to feed four. I ate my fill and barely made a dent. "You should go and enjoy the celebration. It's not every day that your king chooses his queen."

"Yes, miss." If she hears the bitterness in my voice, she doesn't let on.

When she does a little curtsy thing and leaves my room, I breathe a sigh of relief. Alone at last.

Ever since I got back from lunch, I've had a steady stream of visitors trying to convince me that I need to attend the big event in the town square. Agavar stayed the longest and only left once I told her I refused to be publicly humiliated again, and there was nothing she could do or say to change my mind.

Why would I want to witness Renowlf's announcement that Bayliss was going to be his queen?

After using the tie to secure my hair in a messy bun, I hang up my robe, discard the medical gown, and sink into the warm, lightly scented water.

Whatever the maid put in the water smells divine and makes me slightly buoyant so my submerged body floats just under the surface. I support my neck at the edge of the tub with a small towel, close my eyes, and allow myself to doze.

I'm startled awake by a low growling sound. My eyes fly open and my body tenses in the lukewarm water. My arms grip the sides of the tub, the adrenaline rush preparing me for fight or flight.

When I realize who rudely interrupted my private bath, I don't bother hiding my anger—or my naked body. "What are you doing here?"