The Serpent King's Human Consort

der Be

married to

ed to a serpent, too, but the distinct

nd was the unfamiliar ceiling decorated with silver serp

g. My father. The treaty. The journey to Nagaeon. The terrifyingly handsome k

cthar. M

ket over my face.

en particularly generous toward me, and

at the door. "

Your Highness. That w

in," I

e a dark uniform, her black hair neatly arranged in a bun. Her expre

rnatural creatures were either exceptionally brave o

I am Mara, the royal attenda

ption include helping unfortunat

change. "I am afraid

have earned a ve

head attendant of

oman. Or she was going to have me thrown into a dungeon. Either poss

uests your prese

que

our Hig

olite

ou to be ready wit

a loose sleeping shirt that definitely

ad attempted to build a nest on my he

is husband is currently

e, her composed expression crac

y not appreciat

ld have married someone who ap

pected she was fighting a smile, but

e your clothes,

I had lost my first

The outfit was black, embroidered with silver thread along the collar and sleeves. A silver serpent clasp held the cloak over my should

s necessary

Your Highness," on

re me to wear enough fabric

his palace, I would at least make sure the servants remembere

visible support. Enormous windows overlooked gardens filled with flowers that glowed faintly in the morning light. Everywhere I looked, there were serpents. Carved into the walls. Woven into tapestries. Embroide

tely bowed. "Your Highness." "Your High

weather for a kingdo

aid anything unusual. By the time we reached the dining hall, I had decided tha

doors opened,

rk hair was neatly arranged, and his expression suggested that the entire world had personally disappointed him

to you, too,

owly, he raised his eyes. Those cold,

're

rmous windows. The s

announcement declaring that breakf

wn, Lys

ur Majesty. Oh, wait.

terrible habit of mine, smiling at people who c

t. The moment I sat down, a servant placed a plate in front of me. There was bread, fruit,

is t

t, Your Highness," t

ed my fork. "O

inking his tea. I

tives often, or is th

d hear the faint crackle of the

ways this i

hen I'm

en

u promise not to serve

however, merely studied me. For one uncomfortable moment, I thought he mig

a strang

e husband. I suppose

d to learn any

at saves us bo

read. Breakfast was

servants. That was never a good sign. I watched the

I be con

depe

wh

intend to beh

in my chair. "

out permission. You will not enter the eastern wing. You will not interfere wi

. "Anything else? Should I stop b

ecess

because if I didn't laugh, I might start wondering whether I had made the worst dec

re se

tir

I've marri

ed the Ser

ing, app

s worse. He approached me with the measured confidence of someone who had never once cons

your position in th

look at him. "And you w

surprise. Perhaps it was irritation. I couldn't tell

nt, and certainly not one of your decorative little statues. If you

ned colder.

wh

tackle them to the ground. For a moment, n

you understand the d

ut I'm beginning to understan

going to die. I was definitely going to die. A

the western side of the palace. You wil

gener

e my restraint

n't drea

r more violently than I wanted to admit. The doors closed behind him

the empty room, "I hope

The guards obeyed the king. The council feared disappointing the king. And the k

ardens, the library, and several c

o approach the eastern wing. Naturally,

he eastern wi

chambers and re

like a place where someone

High

'm only

can be dang

genuinely serious. I decided not to push her. Not because I was

ly before dusk. Mara helped me r

ay not dine wi

ook I had been pretend

ther obli

oblig

our Hig

was something peculiar a

t of obli

nly for a second,

e affairs are not

me yesterday, ordered me around this morning, and now had no intention of spe

'm not expecting him to seren

"His Majesty has always live

delighted to learn

d until the door closed bef

, I didn't trust him, and I certainly wasn't going to develop feelings for a man who regarded me

a painter's most expensive fantasy. But finding someone handsome didn't mean I wanted to sp

silver moonlight. Somewhere in the distance, bells rang,

. A group of servants hurried through a side entran

e corridor before allowing them to proceed. They were heading toward the priva

rned not to go there. I also knew that Syl

iked more than being ordered arou

. "Absolutely not. I am not stupid enough to investigate a

Sat down. Stared at th

mn

sn't investigating anything. I was simply taking a walk. A completely innocent walk. In the direc

ed through the corridor ahead. One belonged to

ion been complete

Your M

he par

your priva

d the candle. Partner? I s

ything else tonight?

Leave

illar. The servant passed without noticing me. I waited u

ning clothes. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, and his silver

ution. He opened the doors, and before entering, he paused. For one absurd second, I thoug

perfectl

private chamber. On the second night of

n my chest. So that was how it would be. Sylas Nocthar could have his private c

en wing. "Fine," I whispered.

y chin. "If my husband wants to behave l

sing him. No intention of

I reached my door, one thought followed me inside. If Sylas Nocthar believed I would qu

d I had never been particul