Free Fiery Fate by Jaci Burton Page A

contemplating strangling the man who did not once seek out her counsel on any of the affairs. By the time the hall emptied she was seething.
    “Will that be all, my king?” she asked, not even trying to keep the sarcasm from her voice.
    He turned and narrowed his eyes at her. “I am not your king.” Hands on hips, she faced him squarely. “You certainly acted as if I were nothing more than a servant at your feet. Not once did you ask my opinion of any dispute or request.”
    “Have you suddenly gone mute?”
    “Obviously not.”
    “Did you disagree with anything I said or did?”
    “Well, no.”
    “Then you have no reason to complain. If you had objections, you could have spoken up.”
    “’Tis not how it should work.”
    Mirth caused the gold flecks in his eyes to sparkle as if the sun shone directly on his face. “I see. And how should it work?”
    “There should be discussion, compromise if necessary. But the king and the queen should discuss all matters relating to the inhabitants of their lands and come to a mutual agreement.”
    “Hmm, perhaps you are right. I shall keep that suggestion forefront in my mind for the next time we hold court together.”
    Which would hopefully be never. If she had to sit through another one of these episodes with him, she would strangle him. “Will that be all?”
    “Here, yes. But now you will accompany me to the falconry.” It was already near dusk, and they had been working steadily since early morning. She could swear he was deliberately trying to exhaust her. “Why?”
    “To tend to the birds there, of course. It is your job to oversee their care, make sure they receive the food and medicines necessary. While you will not perform these functions yourself, you will need to be aware what must be done so the birds are in prime hunting condition.”
    “Noele did not mention anything about the falconry.”
    “I am certain Noele was in no condition to explain every minute detail that goes into running a castle, especially in her condition. You will simply have to trust that I know what you need to learn.” She followed him out of the hall and across the courtyard, convinced that Roarke knew absolutely nothing about what she needed.
    With a quick intake of breath she inhaled the fresh air, hoping it would clear her mind. Roarke’s quick step was difficult to keep up with and she had to hurry along, not even able to take time to speak to Elise and Mina who waved at her from the entrance to the gardens.
    They entered the falconry and observed the caretaker of the birds feeding one of Garick’s most-prized gyrfalcons. A small chicken was brought into the open yard and the jesses on the gyr were released, allowing it to hunt and capture its prey.
    Solara watched in fascination at the voracious appetite of the huge bird.
    “They eat a lot, don’t they?” she asked Roarke.
    “Aye.” He slipped on a leathered glove and held out his arm, letting loose a whistle that had the gyrfalcon instantly flying to him and settling upon the glove. He grabbed hold of the jesses. Solara followed him inside the mews, watching as he returned the falcon to its perch.
    “Such beautiful creatures.” Falconry was not practiced in D’Naath, and she had never ventured forth into the area where they were kept here in Winterland. This was her first opportunity to view the gyrfalcons and peregrines housed here.
    “They are. Even more magnificent to watch them hunt out in the open fields and streams.”
    “I should like to see that some day,” she murmured, her gaze transfixed on the gyrfalcon’s actions.
    “Perhaps you will have an opportunity to do so after you marry Braedon.” At the mention of Braedon’s name, she looked up, surprised to find she and Roarke were alone.
    “Perhaps I will. I am certain he will be more than willing to teach me anything I’d like to know.” Dusky shadows fell over the dwelling, Roarke’s face half-hidden in the murky light. He approached her, and