Free Fervor (The Fervor Chronicles Book 1) by Lynn Carmer Page A

kingdom here!
    The near freezing temperature started to bite. The release of energy had super heated his skin for a short time, but now that was over. The cold crawled over his skin, flowing inside him until he was chilled to the bone. His breath came out in tufts of white as he struggled for every wheezed gasp of air.
    Not just bruised, anymore. Now the ribs are definitely broken.
    The rise and fall of voices floated toward him. He remained hidden in shadow. A lilting soprano rose above the din, and his heart started to pound. The princess. His body knew before his mind. A low rumble vibrated in his throat. Gods forbid someone laid a hand on her before he did.
    Nearing, he saw the princess, as royal and straight-backed as he first remembered. He closed his eyes at the memory of ecstasy he’d felt at her hands. Across from her stood a man of royal carriage and dress. He wore neck to toe diamonds, and met the princess in the eye. Hovering behind the king was a dark-haired beauty with a red silk scarf wrapped around her neck. His brothers would love her.
    The woman stared daggers at the princess. His interest in her focused, his brothers forgotten while he ascertained whether she was a real threat to his mate. As she shifted position, he realized a servant with chestnut hair and large eyes sat in the corner, softly weeping.
    The four were alone, off to the side of the massive courtyard. The princess looked tense. No outward signs except a small tightening of her shoulders gave her away. As she spoke, she took the tiniest steps toward the crying woman on the floor as if to block her from the man’s view. Still too far away, he searched and found where he needed to be, using every ounce of energy to glide to the hiding spot and not draw attention.
    “…will discuss this now.” The regal man stated matter-of-factly.
    Arun drank in her beauty; a soft breeze carried her scent and it made his chest hum. The princess was intoxicating. The fervor began to ignite, flowing through his veins, giving him the energy he so desperately needed.
    “Her position is now elevated,” the man continued. “She is to be Predominant of the Drudge. Were you made aware of this change?” The man stood stock still, not an expression flicking across his face.
    “Yes.” The princess was equally stoic. He wondered at how this ice maiden had melted in his arms only a few moments before.
    “Then you are aware she has authority over all servants, and she must be allowed to administer any punishment she sees fit.”
    The woman sitting on the floor covered her hands with her face, her shoulders rocking with the force of her sobs, but not a sound escaped.
    “I am well aware of her authority, but is she aware of mine, Highness?”
    So this was His Royal Ice Highness? The very one he planned to kill for making his mate suffer.
    “How so?”
    “She takes liberties that far outreach her station.” The princess cut a look at the woman with the red scarf.
    “Such as?” The aristocrat looked as if he could be discussing the weather, not one emotion crossing his white face.
    “She came into my personal quarters unannounced.”
    “That is no offense. She was sent to check on your progress”
    “It was when I was preparing for The Binding. It is a sacred time.” The princess took one step closer to the servant on the floor, blocking her, never taking her eyes from the king.
    The king stilled and motioned forward with the flick of his hand. The woman with the red scarf stepped up, but still wasn’t by his side.
    “I was told I must have full attention placed on the preparations.”
    “She said the servant stroked you. Is this true?”
    “Your Highness, she misunderstood. She applied the salve necessary to ground me in the ritual. It was a vital step in the process.” She never blinked, just kept her features blank, but Arun could see her shoulders tighten further. Could she be as aware of him as he was of her?
    “You did not mention this.” His