Page 23 of Undertow
6
Sagan
King Taryn was as good of a man as Treena had always said. All he offered was support and advice, the chance to establish real communications and hope for a better future between our nations.
Others would have tried to take advantage of the situation—mysituation and issues. They would have pressured me to sign a treaty even before I was queen. Anything to benefit them.
But no, he was wise and saw the long-term benefit of being a friend in this moment. Especially since Treena was his heir. We were a strong,strongnation, and a real alliance with us would mean the world to his country. He knew that.
He was smart enough to know that.
Uncle Darren was clearly impressed with him as well, praising me on the side that I’d done well. I didn’t think I really had, but then he reminded me I had a lot going on and… Yeah, okay, I’d done well.
And I needed to hold onto those wins. There were too many losses at the moment, including Hardin going against my explicit orders and not leaving the castle. Benson wanted to let it go and Uncle Darren couldn’t hide his disgust, accusing him of being in the elder’s pocket.
Benson’s argument that Hardin was popular and it could make me look petty and childish was actually pretty good. But allowing these kinds of slights so early—it never got better.
So I sent him with a squad and made it clear they were there to escort Hardin from the castle for his leave… Or permanently, because the future queen’s orders were to be followed without fail.
The next drama was from the guy I was dating, Kole. He arrived just before dinner and was upset I wasn’t waiting to receive him. I blinked at the guard who delivered the message that the spoiled Alpha’s son—and yes, he said it like that—was waiting in the foyer until I received him properly.
“Please remind the Alpha Heir that my parents died just over a week ago and their funeral is tomorrow. Since he didn’t come earlier to comfort me orhelp, he can at least not throw a tantrum like a child or I will make sure his room is in the nursery. And please make sure to say that loudly in front of his party or whatever staff is around.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the guard chuckled darkly and went off.
That went as well as I expected, angry texts from Kole coming in almost immediately saying I embarrassed him. That I washislover and should act like it.
Was he kidding?
I left it because I was about to reply something I couldn’t take back, and honestly I wasn’t ready for the drama I saw coming my way.
You should have already ended it, but he was the one familiar thing you’ve had. You now have to deal with that.
Unfortunately, it got worse.
He was upset his accommodations were in the guest wing, not the family one like the castle was now his.
He had the gall to try and move up positions during the procession. He wasn’t stupid enough to try and walk next to me, but he wanted to walk with family.
“You’re not even engaged,” Uncle Darren snarled at him. “You didn’t even show your face until last night and caused a huge fuss to—”
“What?” a deep voice I didn’t recognize demanded. “He told us he was here this whole time comforting Sagan.”
Uncle Darren snorted. “He told Sagan he had too much with work. In text, no less.”
“Enough,” I hissed over my shoulder before meeting Kole’s gaze. “Stop mistaking you are getting some sort of promotion becausemy parentsdied or the only title you will have is former lover of the future queen.” I ignored the way his eyes went too wide and the anger in them.
I did appreciate the voice I didn’t recognize backing me up saying he would dump Kole too. Someone of his family probably?
Good. I hoped the whole situation reached the Alpha’s ears because I didn’t have the energy. It was as if I was exhausted from everything else like burying my parents.
There were a couple of other bumps of people trying to insert themselves in ways they shouldn’t, but after smacking them back into line, the rest of everything went smoothly… Until Hardin tried to be present for the entombment.
Technically, it might have been considered internment since we were below ground, but it was a structure under the castle. Most referred to it as entombment then—I didn’t care the term.
I cared that Hardin was so far out of line thatallmy family was up in arms. My father’s younger brother, who had been a pain in my ass as well, finally snapped and grabbed the front of Hardin’s suit when we were out of view of most people.
“I’ve had it with you,” Uncle Fraser snarled in Hardin’s face. “You are overstepping all of your authority and your fucking place in life. Not again. Not while we breathe, and so help me if you act like she answers to you again, I will fucking put you in the ground where no one can find you. Enough with your madness that you will be in charge. You. Are. Not.”
