Courting Kel by Dee Brice Read Free Book Online Page A

banish—”
    “Both of us.” Aren sounded both relieved and menacing. “So,
Father, will you accept our marriage?”
    Looking far from accepting, Storr nodded.
    “But I don’t,” Kel announced and watched their mouths gape.
    “But,” Aren blustered, “I took your virginity. Our laws
decree we are man and mate.”
    The poor man looked so dumfounded, Kel almost reconsidered
what she was about to say. Since returning to Amazonia was her sole goal, she
steeled her resolve. “I’m not a citizen of Ondrican, ergo your laws do not
apply to me.”
    “When we wed—”
    “There was no ceremony, Aren. On Amazonia, when a woman
takes a mate permanently, there is a ceremony.”
    “Followed by public fucking,” Storr interjected, making Kel
blush.
    “I know now where Aren got his knowledge of my homeworld.”
Resentment tinged her voice. So much for her earlier bravado!
    “Which will keep you from lying to my son.”
    “I never lie.” Refusing to let him bully her, she canted her
chin in his direction, certain any sign of weakness would be her undoing.
    “Even lies of omission?”
    She glared at Storr then faced Aren. “You did not court me.”
    “I seduced you. And you accepted—no, welcomed—my shaft.”
    “I had no choice. You could have raped me. Not that you did,
but you could have. Had I not allowed our mating.” Knowing the excuse sounded
weak, she shut up and shrugged as if the matter were closed.
    “Ondrican men…blast it! Most Ondrican men don’t
rape.”
    Storr cleared his throat, effectively silencing the
argument. “We’ll settle this later. For now, we’ll eat like civilized people.”
    Tage said, “If Your Majesty will excuse me, I have other
duties.”
    “With a blonde, a brunette and a redhead,” Storr announced.
“Be wary of her, Tage. Women with even a touch of red hair are hellions.”
    “As you know,” Kel mumbled loud enough for all to hear.
    Laughing, Tage left.
    For a long, uncomfortable moment they all looked everywhere
but at each other. Kel called upon her warrior’s training and held perfectly
still. She wanted to fidget. More, she wanted to run, but refused to let
cowardice claim her.
    At last, surprising her, Storr pulled out a chair and
motioned her to it. Apparently approving of her acquiescence, Aren nodded as he
sat opposite her. Storr sat at the table’s head. Which seemed to signal some
unseen observer to begin serving the meal.
    What kind of man was Aren that he didn’t sulk or glower when
she refused to acknowledge their marriage? He seemed no different than when
they left his palace. Was he afraid of Storr? She glanced at each in turn and saw
in them a deep affection for each other. Despite the king’s bellicose manner,
Aren did not fear him. Which meant— treacherous man! —Aren refused to
accept her refusal.
    “If I recall, our foods are similar to yours, Keleos.”
    “Your memory is clear, Storr. The foods are similar but
their preparation differs.”
    “Not unpleasantly, I trust.”
    He sounded so pleasant, looked so charming, Kel almost
forgave him for his earlier rudeness. Almost. Basalia had cautioned her
to beware of charming men.
    “Kel is especially fond of sweetmeats,” Aren said, grinning
at her.
    “So is Basalia. How is your mother?”
    As if you care. “Well, tak. Your wife, Majesty?”
    “Died nearly twenty years ago.”
    Kel looked at Aren and said softly, “I’m sorry.”
    He nodded.
    “She was ill for a long time. Her death was almost a
relief.” Storr sighed.
    “Especially for her,” Aren said, forking a mouthful of
scrambled eggs into his mouth. He sounded carefree but his eyes said he still
mourned his mother.
    As they finished eating, Kira appeared with a dewy pitcher.
“The winale, Majesty.”
    “Good. Serve the lady first, Kira.”
    Kel covered her glass. The girl’s sweet smile didn’t fool
her for a second.
    Aren stared at her for a long moment. Holding out his own
glass, he said, “I’ll share with my