Free Conquering the Queen by Ava Sinclair Page B

him on the stairs as he approached the Great Hall.
    “We are about to be set upon,” he said. “Word is that the nobility of Ravenscroft is as eager to ogle your slave as the nobility of Windbourne were. They’ve not forgotten her rejection of you.”
    “Then they will be disappointed,” Xander growled. “Avin will appear at the coronation, but beyond that she will not be put on display. I’ve already promised her that.”
    Cynric nodded and smiled. “You’ve faced your fears, I see.”
    Xander nodded. “Yes. I feared my feelings would make me weak, but I have found strength in her. She’s given me her submission, Cynric, and I find myself wanting to be the kind of man and king that deserves it. I only wish I could right the wrongs done to her by every man in her life.”
    “There is yet time,” Cynric said. “But first you must run the gauntlet of this evening.”
    That was an apt description. He knew the next few days would be important in strengthening alliances between north and south. As he took his place on the throne, the visiting nobility from Ravenscroft arrived. Familiar faces smiled at him, praising his victory, his reign and the splendor of the castle, which had been much repaired since Avin’s overthrow.
    As guest after guest filed up to pledge their allegiance to the crown, Xander found himself looking for his father, who had not yet greeted him. When Lord Reginald did show up, it was in the company of a woman it took Xander a few moments to recognize.
    Lady Fleur Breton had been a budding child when he’d last seen her. Now she was a young woman with glossy chestnut hair who, when she bowed, displayed a creamy swell of cleavage over the neckline of a gown that showed off the seductive curves of a very adult form. She curtseyed low to the new king, and then looked up, a sweet smile on her heart-shaped face.
    “King Xander,” she said in the cultured voice that emphasized her good breeding and education. “I am so honored to be here to witness your coronation. My parents, Lady and Lord Breton of Ferngrove, send their warmest regards and congratulations.”
    “Lady Breton.” Xander nodded to his pretty subject. “It is good to see you.”
    “I’ve invited Lady Breton to sit with us tomorrow at the feast, Xander,” Lord Reginald said. “She is looking forward to it, and I know you must be looking forward to spending time with the daughter of one of our staunchest allies.”
    Xander was silent for a moment. “Of course,” he replied, not knowing what else to say. He was still reeling from the unexpected arrival of this exquisite young woman, and instantly suspected his father had engineered her attendance for political reasons. The Bretons and the Gawen families had been close friends for generations. The only time that relationship had cooled was when Lord Reginald announced that his son would marry Princess Avin of Windbourne. The Bretons, Xander knew, had assumed that Xander would court and marry Fleur’s older sister, Rose. But the Bretons had gotten over the slight and Rose had gone on to marry a lord.
    Xander was not blind, however. In the wake of Xander’s ill-fated betrothal, his father was now taking a safer route by pushing Lady Fleur firmly in his sites.
    Lord Reginald ushered a servant over and instructed her to see Lady Breton and her entourage to the best suites in the castle. Then he turned to his son.
    “I hope you will make her feel welcome.”
    “Of course I will,” Xander said. “Why wouldn’t I?”
    Lord Reginald looked to the left. Through the window, on the other side of the courtyard, both father and son could see the light burning in Avin’s window.
    “The kingdom is one and united under your reign, Xander,” his father said quietly. “It represents all I have worked for all my life. It was why I pushed you toward Avin, because I hoped you would one day succeed her father. That did not happen, but you are still king nonetheless. Now you need to take a