Keys to the Kingdom by Fiona Wilde Read Free Book Online Page B

bait for whatever man he deems to be a potential ruler. As you pointed out, if you fail then he'll simply find someone else. My father will do anything to avoid respecting us as thinking humans."
    She sounded so sad, and Kier ached to take her in his arms, to hold her and reassure her that he did indeed believe she was capable, just as she said. But he didn't want to do that. To acknowledge that she should be allowed rule the kingdom with her sisters would only make Lenora more determined to do just that. And Kier's first responsibility was to his brothers and himself.
    "If we marry, you'll still be Queen," he said encouragingly.
    "In title only," she said. "I'll still be relegated to long days of embroidery or entertaining at insufferably boring teas. I'll have no say as to the state of this kingdom."
    "What of motherhood?" he asked. "Do you not think that will keep you happily occupied? It would be hard to mother and rule."
    "Do you intend to stop ruling once you become a father?"
    "No," he said. "That's silly. Why should I? I'll not need to. I'll have you to give all the care to our children."
    She stopped. "Exactly. However, if I'm to be a broodmare, you should house me in the stables."
    "It's not like that," he protested.
    "Isn't it?" she asked. "Put yourself in our shoes for once. Imagine that things were reversed and you were told to bury your intelligence, your potential, your good ideas because all you were good for was producing children. Or if those children were all girls, then nothing at all." She sighed. "Sometimes I think perhaps I would be better off just leaving, just going somewhere far away where no one knows me. Perhaps I could live in the woods and become a herbalist and tend to the sick. At least that way people would need me for something besides my womb."
    Kier shook his head and reached out to push a tendril of hair away from her face. "Your beauty would give you away."
    She scoffed anew. "My beauty comes as much from being pampered as from heredity, Prince Kier. I've never seen a hard winter, or a hard day's work, for that matter. I've never slept a night outside a feather bed, have never experienced cold or loss - save my mother's death - nor hunger, plague or any of the ills that rob women of their looks. It's illusion, Kier," she said. "Nothing more. The really beautiful women are those who retain their good hearts amidst challenge. I cannot even find a good heart amid plenty."
    "Perhaps realizing that is the first step towards making that happen."
    "Maybe," she said. "But I do not think I can do it here."
    "Why not here, and why not as my queen?" Kier asked then. "Why could you not rule by my side and do the good you want to do?"
    She looked at him suspiciously. "The man who spanks me as a child now sees me as fit to partner with him on the throne. How convenient."
    "You think I'm lying," he said.
    "I think you'll say or do whatever you need to win my hand," she replied.
    Lenora turned away and began walking towards the pond. Kier stood there, conflicted. He was being sincere, and was angry with her for rebuffing his offer. But when he did as she suggested and thought about things from her perspective he could see why she might be suspicious.
    "I don't blame you," he said after her and she stopped and turned. He jogged up to her.
    "I don't blame you," he repeated in case she had not heard. "I am without title or lands. My brothers and I have nothing now but the clothes on our backs. If we fail to win your hands we'll be reduced to living as peasants and our fortunes will depend on what living we can scrape from the soil. That's a frightening prospect for someone told all his life that he was born to rule."
    "You are right to be suspect of my words," he said. "Which is why I shall seek to prove that I mean what I say."
    "And how," she asked, crossing her arms. "Do you intend to do that?"
    "My brothers," he said. "They are attempting to tame your sisters as we speak. I fear for them."
    "My sisters