Free Radiance (Wraith Kings Book 1) by Grace Draven Page A

throne room, she simply nodded.  This time she turned to him, her face wiped clean of expression.
    “This is the kingdom of Bast-Haradis, Brishen.  I’m human.  Here, I am alone.”
    He halted and she with him.  Brishen gazed at his human wife, touching on the colorful hair and strange eyes, the pale skin with its ever-changing shades that were subject to her moods.  His soldiers’ reactions to her would be nothing compared to those of the Kai court.  Insular for so long, most of the nobility had rarely seen a human.  Those who had, barely remembered.  They’d stare and whisper amongst themselves and do so, so much worse than that.
    Brishen wanted to protect her, shield her from the inevitable trial of meeting not only the vipers amongst the court but those who ruled them—his parents.  He was powerless to do so.  She’d have to face them all, one human amongst a people who once considered all her kind food.  But she wouldn’t do it alone.
    He reached for her free hand.  “You are also a princess of the blood through marriage, a member of the royal family.  My wife.  Every Kai in that room owes you their allegiance and respect.  I will cut out any tongue that would try and besmirch you, Ildiko.”  He pressed his lips to her palm.
    The tiniest crack appeared in her serene composure.  Her mouth twitched with the hint of a smile.  “Or bury an axe blade in their heads?”
    His guilt over his inability to rescue her from his own family eased a little at her humor.  “I’m adept with spear and sword as well.  Just name who you want me to skewer for you.”
    Ildiko’s smile widened.  “Not the best approach I think to winning supporters.”  She inhaled a long breath before slowly letting it out.  “I can do this, but you must promise not to let go of my hand, even if I’m breaking your fingers.”
    Brishen gently pulled her into his embrace.  She felt fragile in his arms—barely more than shadow wrapped around slender bones and clothed in Gauri silks.  “I promise.”
    “I will not shame you with my fear, Brishen,” she whispered against his neck.
    He sighed into her hair.  “But I might shame you with mine, wife.”  He stroked her back and offered a last bit of advice before they made their introductions to the court.  “They are only serpents, Ildiko.  Crush them beneath your heel.”
    He led her the rest of the way to the ornately carved double doors guarded by a pair of soldiers.  The sentinels bowed, their faces as closed and expressionless as Ildiko’s was now.  The doors swung open, revealing a cavernous chamber with tall ceilings, walls decorated in tapestry and weaponry and lined by statues of ancient Kai kings and queens—all lit by wavering torchlight.
    Brishen barely registered its grandeur.  He’d grown up in this palace.  The hall had looked like this since before his grandfather was born and probably long before that.  Instead, he focused on the pair of figures watching them from the thrones elevated on a platform reached by a set of nine steps.
    The silence greeting him and Ildiko gave way to a rising din of voices, a steady buzzing that grew in volume like the approach of a locust swarm.  There were shocked gasps, comments about the Gauri woman’s terrifying eyes and strange face, expressions of pity for him.
    Ildiko might not understand most of what was said, but it didn’t take a fluency in the Kai language to know her appearance was causing a stir.  Like him, she kept her gaze trained on the king and queen.  Her fingers were icicles on his.
    “Steady,” he said under his breath.
    They stopped at the first step leading to the thrones.  Brishen tugged lightly on Ildiko’s hand and they both genuflected.
    Brishen addressed the floor.  “Your Majesties, I am your humble servant.  I present my bride, Ildiko, niece of the king of Gaur, Sangur the Lame.  Now hercegesé to me.”
    The throne room had grown silent once more, pulsing with