She might be considered young by some Dark, but she wasn’t na?ve or stupid. “You mean you will actually torture me.”
Her father shrugged nonchalantly. “We’ll have to prove to him we’ll be willing to do anything to you. The Kings are meant to protect humans. It’s in his nature to protect the very woman he believes is human that he cares for.”
“And then?” She wasn’t about to tell him that Kiril knew she was Dark.
“We break him. We’ll have to fake your death, of course, but he will feel as though he failed. That will speed his descent. Once he’s broken, he’ll tell us anything we ask.”
Shara had longed for her father to bring her into the fold of the family. He was giving her that chance. “I want to be there when we find whatever the Dragon Kings have hidden.”
“I can arrange that,” he said with a nod of pleasure.
Her mind drifted back to the breathtaking kisses and toe-curling sex she’d had with Kiril. “How did you know Mother was the right woman for you?”
“That was easy.” He began walking along the stone path again, keeping ahold of her arm. “When it came time to marry I had my pick of women because of the family and the name I’d made for myself, much like Farrell is doing. Your mother was one of many.”
“Why did you choose her?”
“She had a quick, devious mind that far exceeded any other, and her desire to advance to the top was as great as mine. We had the same ambitions.”
Was it as simple as that? Is that how she was supposed to look for a husband? No. She was to stand meekly, but confidently, and wait for her husband to choose her.
“Don’t worry, Shara. Farrell has already lined up men that I’m considering for you. Many wanted you before, but now that they know what you’re doing, more are clamoring for your hand. I’ll choose wisely.”
It was how it had always been done with their people. Why then did she wish she had a choice in picking the male who would share her bed?
Silence in the wake of such a statement was rude. Shara smiled tightly. “I trust your judgment, Father.”
“Farrell told me he hit you hard enough to bruise. Did the Dragon King take note of the bruise?”
Shara focused her mind on the conversation. The last thing she wanted was to be caught in a lie, and that’s what her father was trying to do. “He wrapped his arm around me, and I pulled away. When he asked if I was hurt, I thought it prudent to let him know that I was bruised.”
“Did he ask how you had been hurt?”
“He did. I told him that I ran into a counter, but I made sure the lie was told badly enough that he saw through it.”
Her father patted her arm. “Very good. Aye, very good indeed.”
She nodded expectantly when he looked at her. “I want to fully be a part of this family. I’m proving myself, Father. Please tell me everything.”
His lips pursed as he considered her words. Seconds stretched into minutes as he remained quiet, their stroll circling back to the house. The closer the house came, the more anxious Shara was to learn all the Dark were planning. For herself, of course.
“I thought you said I was proving myself? I made one mistake, and I served out my punishment. I’m bringing a Dragon King to you.”
“You did serve out your punishment with dignity. However, I’ve told you all there is for now.”
Shara gave her cheek to her father to kiss as they reached the doors to his office. “Thank you for your approval, Father.”
His red eyes went hard as he stared. “Now that you have it, if you botch anything up, Shara, only your death will make up for it.”
“I won’t disappoint you.”
With a nod, he released her arm and walked back into his office. Shara turned to look at the sea once more. It stretched endlessly before her, and yet, Scotland wasn’t that far away.
Why was she even thinking of Scotland? Just because she had felt good in Kiril’s arms? He was a Dragon King, enemy to the Dark. Her family was all she had, and she had to remember that. At the end of the day, if Kiril had to choose, he wouldn’t choose her. It was a dose of reality that she needed. She would do as her family asked.
But she also knew her brother was a first-class arse. He hated her, had always hated her. No matter what he said, he would do his utmost to ensure that she failed somehow while still managing to capture Kiril.
That meant she had to think for herself. Farrell would likely strike before she could ever have her father’s ear, which meant she needed someone with more power than her family.
She briefly thought about Taraeth, but quickly dismissed the idea. As ruler of their people, there were countless females looking for his favor. No, she would need something more immediate, someone who would notice her sooner.
Her mind immediately snagged on a candidate who had power that even her father feared—Balladyn.