My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 50

Fenris

"I do not bet on losing dogs. I do not send my mate into a ring to die."

The Queen stared at me. She was calculating again. She was searching for a way to argue without crossing the line into disrespect. She gripped her silk skirts in her fists. I could see she wanted to scream at me, probably call me a fool. But the fear of Aldric’s wrath kept her mouth shut. She swallowed. She chose silence over defending her daughter’s life.

It was disgusting to watch.

Yvara pushed off the wall. Her boots scraped against the stone.

The Queen jumped at the sudden noise. She looked at Yvara.

Yvara walked slowly toward us. She stopped next to me. She looked the Queen up and down, examining her expensive dress, her pinned hair, and the tear stains on her face.

"Even now," Yvara said, her voice raspy and loud in the quiet corridor. "You are still selfish."

The Queen stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Yvara said. She pointed a scarred finger at the Queen’s chest. "You are standing here begging for her life, but you aren't actually worried about her dying. You are worried about the mess."

The Queen froze completely. Her breath hitched.

I saw it immediately. Yvara was right. I saw the exact moment the Queen’s true motivation was dragged into the light.

"Do not pretend you care," I added. My voice was heavy. It pressed down on her. "This has nothing to do with Sera."

The Queen looked at me. Panic flared in her eyes again.

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