Free The Queen of All That Lives (The Fallen World Book 3) by Laura Thalassa

a towel, I wrap it around my waist.
    I remember the call I got when they found her. All those dead men. She’d been untouched. That’s what happens when you corner my wife. That’s what happens when you throw her into the fray.
    I’m an idiot for trying to protect her this whole time. She was never the one who needed protecting.
    Everyone else was.

Chapter 11
    Serenity
    Montes and I head back to the giant map room together. I cast him my fifth skeptical glance.
    “What concerns my vicious little wife?” he asks. He looks down at me fondly. It’s so strange, how kind this man can be when he’s been so cruel.
    “You’re wearing fatigues. And combat boots.”
    Like me.
    I found my own standard issue clothes in his room almost immediately. Granted, these are more fitted than the pairs I’m used to, but otherwise they’re essentially the same.
    That was my first shock—Montes stocking my dresser with fatigues.
    The second and bigger shock was that he wore them himself.
    “I am,” he says.
    “I’ve never seen you in uniform.” Not like this. Outfitted like a soldier. He looks good in it.
    He runs a hand down his shirt front. “Like I said, many things about me have changed.”
    I’m finally starting to understand that.
    He peers down at me. “You like this.” It’s not a question.
    My eyes drop to his clothes. “It depends.”
    “Depends?” He raises his eyebrows. “On what?”
    “On whether or not it’s all for show.” Wearing military attire doesn’t make you a soldier. Battle does.
    “I like what you’re wearing,” Montes says by way of answer, nodding to my outfit. “It’s a reminder that we will be sharing a bed tonight.”
    My face heats at that. “We shared a bed last night.”
    “Yes, but this time my willing queen will fall asleep in my arms. I wonder what else she will be willing to do …”
    “Just because I agreed to your terms doesn’t mean I’m willing,” I say.
    Montes gives me a knowing look. “Let’s save the lies for the politicians,” he says.
    I thin my gaze. “You better get some custom armor to wear below your belt, my king ,” I say. “You’re going to need it.”
    That earns me a laugh. “I’ll look into it, nire bihotza .”
    Inside the king’s enormous map room, a series of long tables have been brought in and arranged in a U-shaped pattern. More startling than the addition of tables is the addition of people. Dozens upon dozens of military officers sit at the thick oak tables, most wearing uniforms and medallions.
    Several screens have been pulled down from the ceiling, covering much of the maps. More military officers watch from the other side of those screens.
    And amongst them all, I see many women.
    My heart beats faster. This is not the same king I remember. Not even close.
    When the officers notice me, the noise dies down until room becomes ominously silent. Then, one by one, they stand and salute.
    I lean into Montes, looking out at them all. “Did you pay them to do that?”
    He places a gentle hand on my back. “No, Serenity. Money can’t buy you that kind of loyalty.”
    Nor can fear, not with these types of men and women. I stare out at their stoic faces. If they’ve lived through enough battles, things like death and pain don’t scare them. That begs the question: how did Montes convince them to join his ranks?
    I flash the king a questioning look. Rather than speaking, he urges me forward. I nod to the soldiers I make eye contact with, still confused by the man and situation I find myself in.
    This is the first—being inside the king’s palace, surrounded by people that look just like me. It’s destabilizing.
    Montes stops us in the middle of the room, where everyone can see us. “Please sit,” he says. The acoustics of the room carry his voice to the far corners.
    Dozens of chairs scrape as they do just that.
    The king glances down at me. “I would like to introduce you all to my wife, Her Majesty Serenity Lazuli, Queen of the