Free Bloodkin by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

royals.
    “No,” I said immediately. “Thank you,” I added, in a belated attempt at basic courtesy. The sakkri had suggested that Laurence at least had protected us and refused to betray us to Midnight. I didn’t want to antagonize him more than I needed to.
    “The fact that you carry the name Obsidian does not require you to be contrary,” Lucas snapped.
    “Your king sits on a dais, and you two stand on a raised platform,” Vance said. “We came here to
help
you, but first you threaten us, and now you ask us to sit at your feet. We are not your subjects, and we will not be manipulated.”
    “Your upbringing is making you paranoid,” Shane suggested, his voice kinder than that of his brother’s. “We just asked you to sit, not to worship.”
    “The position says enough,” Vance replied, “so I will respectfully stand.”
    “Please,” Laurence said softly, “do not make this harder than it already is. Sit or stand as you like.”
    Vance stayed where he was. Shane’s use of the word “paranoid” probably wasn’t much of an exaggeration. Even without considering the harm done by the Shantel themselves, Vance had been raised by individuals who had subtly manipulated him at every turn. He was naturally cautious as a result, which meant I was going to have to be more reasonable.
    I was the one who was habitually argumentative, the trait Lucas had assigned to all members of the Obsidian guild. I tried to rein in that impulse, reminding myself that the sakkri were at least partly right. We hadn’t willingly involved ourselves in the attack on the trainers, but we had committed ourselves to it. I hadn’t fully understood the situation, but I had made up my mind: given an opportunity, I had been willing to risk my life to strike a blow against Midnight.
    I hated the fact that the sakkri had manipulated me but the king had defended me. I owed them the courtesy of an open ear, at least.
    With an effort at civility, I said, “Let’s begin again. Allow me to introduce Vance Obsidian. As children of Obsidian, you know we will not call you king or bow to commands, but as neighbors we will attempt to stand patiently and listen to a request. I’ll even refrain from commenting on your sakkri’s veiled threat to sell us to Midnight should we refuse, if you give us a reasonable reason to assist you.”
    Laurence shook his head with what looked like disappointment. Shane stepped down from the dais with what appeared to be a chastising look over his shoulder at his father and brother, and offered his hand to me.
    “Thank you,” he said as I took his wrist in what I hoped I correctly remembered was a friendly greeting. It had been a long time since I had lessons in Shantel etiquette.
    He had shadows under his eyes, and when he mirrored my grip and pulled me forward to hug me, I could feel the exhaustion in his body. He explained, “Our land has been barred from all visitors since we heard about the bounty that Midnight is offering for our people. We have been discussing different options, and the sakkri told us to wait here for her final decision this morning, but I …” His voice broke for a moment, and his gaze flickered away from mine. “We did not realize she intended to bring you. That is why your visit is a surprise.”
    “I can honestly say we wish we did not need to involve you,” Laurence said.
    “Everyone keeps saying that,” Vance remarked, “and yet you seem determined to do it.”
    Shane turned toward the quetzal with fury in his gaze. He did not offer his hand to Vance but retreated to the dais with tense steps.
    “You two act like you are the put-upon party,” Lucas snapped, grasping Shane’s shoulder as he passed. Shaneshook off his brother’s grip and returned to pacing. “Believe me when I say you are the last two people I would ever have chosen to help us. You are—”
    “They are the ones the sakkri sent,” Laurence interrupted his son. “Recall what we were told. They are not as