King of Mist (Steel and Fire Book 2) Read Free Page A

not,” Dara said. “I’ll do anything to figure out who’s responsible for what happened to your father.” She dropped her gaze to the stones. She didn’t add that she desperately hoped she was wrong about her parents.
    “Thanks,” Siv said. “I can always count on you.” He reached out as if to nudge her, but instead he circled her arm with his hand, just above the elbow. Warmth spread from his fingers. He met her eyes, and his grip tightened, as if he was contemplating pulling her closer. Dara’s heart did a slow, painful flip.
    “Yes, Your Majesty,” she said.
    Siv dropped his hand abruptly. “Come see me when you’re done. I’ll tell you all about my brilliance at the council meeting.”
    He turned to stride back into the castle, and Dara found herself missing him before he was even out of sight.
     
     
     

2.
    The Council
    SIV was still kicking himself by the time he arrived at the council chambers in the castle’s central tower. He shouldn’t have gone to see Dara. All that did was remind him of their hours in the dueling hall together, of the night she had danced in his arms, of what he could never have. He was the king, and kings didn’t think about kissing their guardswomen. He may care for Dara, he may owe her his life, but he couldn’t let his father’s legacy down.
    Pool opened the door to the royal council chambers with a flourish, as Siv had instructed. The double doors banged against the walls, making the tapestries hanging from them shudder. The bodyguards who had accompanied the noblemen waiting within stepped aside to make way for the king.
    A long oval table made of polished oak all the way from Cindral Forest filled most of the room. High-backed chairs inlaid with Firegold surrounded the table. A Fire Lantern hung from the ceiling, casting warm light over the men and women seated around the table. The chamber had no windows, and the tapestries on the walls muted the echo of Siv’s boots on the stone floor.
    He strode to the far end of the table, keeping his head high as the noblemen and women stood. He had invited the heads of all the most important houses in Vertigon. He had to establish his hold over the nobility before they could begin to maneuver against him, especially because he wasn’t sure which ones might want him dead. It was just like dueling, except potentially more deadly.
    The heads of Houses Morrven, Samanar, Rollendar, Denmore, Roven, Farrow, and Nanning watched him expectantly. A few had brought their advisors along, and Lord Nanning had brought his rather fearsome wife. They were all at least twenty years older than Siv, except for Lady Tull, the beautiful young widow who was now head of House Denmore. The council members represented houses that had followed his father for many years, and they were powerful in their own right. Siv would have to convince them to respect him if he was to carry on the Amintelle legacy.
    He fought down a jolt of nerves as he faced the nobles. I’ll have them all in hand before First Snow . He cleared his throat, about to launch into his opening speech, when another man entered the chambers.
    “Sorry I’m late, Your Highness,” Bolden Rollendar said as he strode in with barely a nod at Siv. The doors slammed behind him with a resounding bang. He flipped a hand through his sandy-blond hair and took a seat beside his father, Lord Von Rollendar. The other nobles followed his lead and sat down before Siv could say anything. Siv grimaced as the scrape and screech of shifting chairs filled the room. He’d planned some inspiring words about how they’d all stand together to ensure a prosperous future for Vertigon. Too late for that now.
    “Right. Well, shall we begin?” Siv sat in his throne-like chair as the nobles shuffled papers and muttered to each other, not paying much attention to him.
    Bolden caught his eye and winked, as if they shared some sort of joke, but Siv didn’t smile back.
    “We need to discuss the coming winter,”