Free Master of the Dance by T C Southwell

a woman can run a kingdom as well as a man. They own businesses there, and land. Some of them are as powerful as their male counterparts, and a queen rules them. They walk with their heads high and their faces exposed. They are educated and proud."
    "They will make our lives a misery," Marek cried, scowling.
    "Only if you treat them badly. I am not going to argue with you, Marek, you have no choice but to do as I say, if you wish to live."
    "This is treason!" Jovan growled.
    "I am not the one who is threatening you, and you cannot prove anything if you go to the courts, which I do not advise."
    "This is just a ruse, to hide your culpability," Jovan retorted, glancing at his brothers for support. Only Marek nodded, the rest just listened, their expressions neutral.
    "It is the truth," Kerrion said. "If you choose to disbelieve me, ask the assassin when he visits you."
    Jovan paled and turned away, pushed past his brothers and headed for the door.
    "I have given you no permission to leave, Jovan," Kerrion called, and his brother swung around.
    "You have spoken your piece and we have listened. I have no further wish for your company."
    "Then you will do as I say?"
    "Do I have a choice?"
    Kerrion shook his head. "Not if you want to live."
    "Then consider it done. I have no wish to die. If you want to pass a lot of useless, stupid laws, then so be it. May you rot in Damnation for it." Jovan yanked open the door and marched out, leaving a heavy silence behind him.
    Kerrion raised his brows and scanned the hostile faces of his remaining brothers, who glared at him with hard, angry eyes, their mouths tight-lipped. Marek snorted and followed Jovan. Kerrion dismissed the rest with a wave of his hand before he rose and left through the door that only the King used.
    Back in Minna's chambers, he found his wife entertaining Kerra and Blade. The assassin lounged on the cushions, picked at a bowl of grapes and looked exceedingly bored. Minna and Kerra clearly waited to hear the King's news, and he dismissed the hovering handmaidens as he settled on a cushion and returned their expectant smiles. The assassin ignored him after a cursory glance, returning to the tedious and delicate task of peeling a grape with one of his daggers. The King noticed the tray of tea and sweet cakes the women shared, and the absence of wine in the room. Evidently Minna had decided to cut down on Blade's consumption of alcohol, which had undoubtedly contributed to the assassin's foul mood.
    Minna raised her brows. "Well? Do not keep us on tenterhooks, Kerrion."
    His triumphant smile widened with amusement at Blade's disgruntlement. "They reacted as I expected. They are angry, but they can see that they have no choice."
    "When will you put the new laws to the court?"
    "Tomorrow."
    "Excellent." Minna poured another cup of tea and handed it to him.
    Kerra nibbled a cake. "I am glad Blade will not have to do any more killing, father."
    Kerrion glanced at the assassin, glimpsing the surprised look Blade shot the girl, and the slight smile that curled his lips.
    "Why is that, my dear?"
    "It is dangerous, and I do not want anything to happen to him."
    Minna smiled. "Have you grown fond of him?"
    "I have realised what an important asset he is, mother. We need him here, unharmed."
    "Indeed we do," Kerrion agreed. "For several more moons, I would venture to say."
    The grape Blade was peeling shot from his fingers and skittered across the floor, coming to rest against Shista's flank. She raised her head to sniff it, then flopped back with a sigh. The assassin turned his head to fix Kerrion with an arctic stare.
    "If you think I am staying in this viper's nest for several moons, you are sadly mistaken."
    "You must. Should one of my brothers become difficult, we need you here to deal with him."
    Blade glanced at Minna. "My part is done. The princes are brought to heel and I am free to leave."
    "Unfortunately, Kerrion is right, My Lord. If one of them should go to the