Free Sacred Knight of the Veil by T C Southwell

merely for the sake of offering to become your husband. Under Jashimari laws, the Queen does not marry, she only takes a consort. Are you a Cotti, Kerra?"
    "No." The girl looked confused. "I am half Cotti."
    "And which half rules your decisions?"
    "I am the Jashimari Queen. I abide by the laws of my land."
    "Then you cannot marry Endor. For one thing, he is your uncle, for another, you are too young, and finally, the Jashimari Queen does not marry."
    "Then perhaps I shall take him as my consort when I am old enough, if I find him pleasing."
    "That will only be in ten years’ time, when you are old enough to rule, and Endor will not wait that long. In fact, he will not consider your wishes at all." Blade turned and walked over to the table that held the omnipresent wine bottle and goblets. "I know the Cotti, and to him you have less value than his horse. Your regal manner and arrogance will be whipped from you, and he will treat you as a servant, which is what Cotti women are."
    "He cannot!" Kerra burst out. "I am a queen!"
    "To the Cotti there is no such thing as a queen. Have you learnt nothing of your father's people?"
    Kerra shot Chiana a guilty look, and the Regent supplied, "The tutor Kerrion sent did not meet with Kerra's approval."
    "Ah. And do you think Endor will treat you any better?"
    Kerra frowned, studying the floor as she pondered the ramifications of Blade's words. Chiana was pleased to note that she did not question them, although the former assassin had something of a reputation as a liar, the girl seemed to sense that he told the truth now. Blade sipped his wine, smacking his lips.
    Kerra raised her head. "Very well. I will do as my father wishes, and go into hiding."
    Chiana slumped with relief, shooting Blade a grateful smile. He put the goblet back on the tray and turned to face her.
    "I shall leave you to make the arrangements."
    Chiana stepped out from behind her desk. "Is there no way to persuade you to help us, My Lord?"
    "I cannot think of one."
    "If Minna-Satu asked you, would you help her?"
    Blade's brows drew together. "But she cannot, since she is dead."
    "But would you?"
    He shrugged. "Perhaps."
    "Why?"
    "She would have asked nicely."
    "I have begged you."
    "You are not a queen."
    "I am your wife." Chiana glared at him, realisation dawning in a cold tide. "But it is nothing to have a wife beg for your aid, even if she is the Regent. A queen, now that is different, is it not, Blade? Are you so petty? Is that what you crave, the power to make a queen beg?"
    "Not beg. That is not necessary. But what else do I get out of it? Gold? More titles? Another estate perhaps?"
    "I see." She turned and walked back to her chair. "Now that there is nothing material you want, it is power you desire."
    "What did you think, that I would do it out of duty? Loyalty? Honour? Those things mean nothing to me."
    "So Kerra must ask you then."
    "Kerra? She is a child, not a queen."
    Chiana sat down and ran a hand over her face. "Damn you, Blade. Why must you be so perverse?"
    Blade chuckled, and Kerra frowned at him. "He is playing a game with you, Chiana. I submit that he intends to help us, when he has extracted sufficient pleasure from his lies."
    Chiana raised her head, surprised by Kerra's deduction, which fitted Blade's personality so well. He accorded the Queen a mocking bow, smiling.
    "The child is astute, if not entirely correct. Whether or not I decide to aid you is still uncertain."
    "And what would it take to sway you?" Chiana enquired.
    "Ah, well, that remains to be seen. As yet, neither of you have succeeded."
    "What do you want?" Kerra demanded.
    Blade cocked a brow at the Queen, his frosty eyes at odds with the slight smile that curled his lips. "Perhaps the pleasure of teaching you some manners."
    Kerra opened her mouth to berate him, but Chiana said, "Done."
    "Perhaps the child's pledge of complete obedience."
    "Done." Chiana shot Kerra a hard look when the girl gasped in outrage. "Nothing is more