Having overcome the disturbing events triggered by the Regent and Kastor, Damen and Laurent are finally crowned in their realms.
But a new enemy seems to be stalking the two lovers. On Laurent's 22nd birthday, strange events occur.
Is the Regent rea...
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When they met the Empress and her consort again, Vishkar's face was still tense, but she seemed somewhat calmer.
At Laurent's direction, Nikandros and Isander, who were close on the heels of the King of Akielos and the King of Vere, knelt before the two women with their heads reverently bowed.
Laurent took advantage of the moment of confusion of the two Vaskians to speak without allowing them to contradict:
"In the name of Vere and Akielos, we offer to the beautiful Pari of Skarva two men who are highly trusted by the sister nations and represent their kings: Nikandros, Kyros of Ios, and Isander, the first freed slave of Vere."
Vishkar looked at the two men, who kept their heads down and exchanged a puzzled glance with Pari.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that just as we asked Vask for its jewel, we also offer Vask two jewels..."
"The kings are you, Laurent of Vere, and Damianos of Akielos!"
Laurent shook his head and spoke in a slow voice.
"In Vere, it is taboo for a man to go to bed with a woman out of wedlock, and as king, I want to be an example to my people. Just as I don't want you to break the taboos of your culture, I won't break mine..."
"Very convenient! And the King of Akielos?"
"The King of Akielos does not sleep with women into Vere, out of respect for the Veretian people who have supported him since the peace treaty between the sister nations..."
"Oh, yes! And you asked for Pari, and of course you thought about it..."
"I asked for the best you could bring to Arles. Your consort is a diamond, no doubt."
"And you offer her a kyros and a servant?"
"The Kyros of Ios is an honorable man, Damianos' right-hand man. And as for my freed servant, I thought you believed slaves and nobles were the same, Vishkar of Vask. I thought you believed in the kiss of heaven and earth. I cannot send a Veretian to sleep with your consort. But Isander is a virgin, an Akielon, and is a gift to Vask, as the slave Isobell of Skarva would be given to me and Damen... A fair trade, is it not?"
The Empress sought her wife's gaze. Whether they had thought of challenging Laurent to a duel, forcing the cancelation of the gift, or willingly yielding to the king's demand, the guests in the hall would never know, for suddenly two handsome men knelt at their feet and a certain astonishment passed over their faces.
Nikandros, in a bold gesture, raised his eyes to look at Pari's pretty face and, blushing like a boy, lowered them again. Isander blinked his long lashes.
Vishkar turned to Pari and spoke in quick and fluid Vaskian like a rush of air entering rooms and slamming doors and windows.
"The men in the hall you liked. Do they still attract you, Pari, my love?"
