King Hall (Forever Evermore, #1)

Each King blinked ever so gradually.

King Venclaire asked evenly, “And this is relevant how?” He pushed off the wall. “If he wants to marry her, there would obviously be sexual relations, so it wouldn’t be horrible if he finds her attractive. That doesn’t mean it’s not a sound political decision.”

Pearl probed, “Why wouldn’t he just call her like a normal person does? Why go through the back channels first?”

I could answer that one. “Because he knows that Coms killed my mate, and he knows that Coms have attacked us recently.” I shook my head. “He knew I would turn him down without a push to say yes. He’s smart.” Too smart.

King Kincaid reclined on his massive, brown leather chair and steepled his fingers, asking pointblank, “Honey, would you be opposed to a relationship with him for political aims between our communities?” He paused. “I don’t think I have to state the benefits which would come from this union.”

“No, you don’t,” I answered softly, even though it wasn’t a question. Standing from the couch, I moved to stare out a window at the tree line surrounding my home. The view was peaceful, and allowed me to really think while everyone was silent, waiting patiently as I debated this horrible decision.

Ezra wasn’t in the patient category. “You cannot be seriously considering this!”

“Lily, he’s a Com!” Pearl exploded in a chain reaction.

“Maybe she needs something to eat to clear the cobwebs from her head,” Jack mumbled.

“This is why they should not be in here,” King Nelson argued.

“Enough,” I murmured, placing my palm on the glass, feeling the wind push against the pane. Taking a fortifying breath, I turned to face my friends. “I never wanted this position. But, I have it nonetheless. I’m going to be responsible for the entirety of Shifters worldwide and this, a marriage to someone who, obviously, has the President — the most powerful Com in the world — in his back pocket,” I paused, “and could possibly become the most powerful Com in the world…I have to think about it.”

Pearl and Jack glared. Mute.

Ezra spewed, “I can hear your heart rate. You don’t want to marry him. Just because you lost Dominic does not mean you have to sacrifice yourself for the greater good by marrying someone you don’t love. There are many ways to go about forging alliances. This is only one of them. One that a horny man is taking advantage of—”

King Venclaire interjected. “Ezra, that’s enough. This is her—”

“No, that’s not enough.” Ezra returned the favor, pointing at his King as he stood. He slammed his finger my way, his voice rising as he really let it fly. “You think I don’t know what it’s like to have that fucking hole in your chest where your mate used to be?”

“I know you do,” I answered softly, my own hole pressing like a void of despair.

“That’s right. I do. And, I know what you’re doing right now. You’re on the verge of losing yourself because you think that hole can’t ever be filled again.” He threw his hands out to his sides, his dress shirt straining over his vast, tense muscles. “Who’s to say it can’t be? Who’s to say you can’t actually find love with someone else? Meet a nice Shifter, and fall madly in love, where magic hasn’t preordained it?”

Pointing again, he stalked right to me. “I will say it again. There are many ways to form alliances. Ones which don’t require you tying yourself down to a man who doesn’t even bother with a smart strategy, only manipulates the situation.” He jabbed my collarbone. “You say he’s smart, but all I see is idiocy. He took the ignorant, back way in, hiding behind power instead of facing you full on and giving it a real shot. And, not only is he unwise, he’s a coward to do it that way, and a weakling will never have immense power in America.” He jabbed me once again, then crossed his huge arms right in front of my face, glowering down at me.

Quiet.

I stared at Ezra’s chest instead of his green gaze. He had spoken of my heart rate and, now, I listened to his thunder like mad in his conviction. Sadly, he knew why I was considering this, had thrown it all back in my face, and he was right on all counts.

I was thinking about sacrificing myself. I had never thought I would want a real relationship again, much less, love. That just seemed absurd. Finding love after having a connection like I’d had with Dominic?

But…the way Ezra had spoken of it made me second-guess myself.

One day, would I really want to find someone?

Would I really want to be in love again?

Into the drawn-out silence, King Nelson stated dryly, “Ezra, that was a fine speech, but what are these alleged alliances that could be made?”