Wolf Princess Sold to the Dragon King novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82: They Reproduce Like Rabbits, Relax

There was beautiful, then there was Guinevere Lunaris. Every man looked up when she entered the war room.

Blair walked in behind her masterpiece and resisted the urge to bow.

Ryker’s expression cycled through three things in two seconds. Guilt. Relief. Then pride.

Kael stared while his face did something no one in this room had ever seen it do. It softened.

Griffin looked at Ryker. Ryker shook his head once. Don’t. Sterling tapped the table twice.

"Keep staring and I will wax your entire body while you sleep. I’ve done it before. Ask Griffin." Blair swept past Kael without looking at him, pulling Guinevere along. "And for the love of the gods, stop breathing like that. It’s audible."

That snapped Kael out of whatever trance he was in.

Blair sat down next to Guinevere, directly across from Sterling. She leaned forward, lowering her voice.

"Apologize to her right now."

Guinevere’s eyes widened in horror. "Blair, that’s not—"

Blair held up her hand, cutting her off. Her eyes were still locked on Sterling.

Sterling looked at Guinevere. "I am sorry for being a jackass, Gwen."

Guinevere’s face heated. "Thank you, Sterling. That’s very kind."

It wasn’t. She didn’t know why she said it. Her default factory setting was polite and that was what came out of her mouth.

"Guinevere." Blair’s tone was pure mother-to-child. "He told you to, ’stop fucking thanking him.’ And what did you just do?"

Guinevere exhaled and shot Blair a look that said, I am going to kill you.

Blair’s face said, With what? Your manners?

Guinevere’s eyes thawed against her will, That was funny.

Blair gave her a knowing look that said, This is the opening act. Settle in.

Ryker leaned forward. All his humor was gone. "What was said?"

Blair tore her gaze away from Sterling to answer. She held up a finger for each one. "He kindly reminded her that Maddox can’t remember her face. Without him, she is no one. Stop fucking crying. Other people have bigger problems. Don’t fuck up the dragon trial. Stop fucking thanking me. The elders see you as a liability that cost seven hundred and fifty million."

She lowered her hands. "That’s the highlight reel given by the two wolves he did it in front of."

Kael, who had been taking a sip of his coffee, choked at seven hundred and fifty million. Then his eyes narrowed at Sterling.

Nobody spoke. Griffin studied the table. Jaxon studied the wall.

Ryker locked eyes with Sterling. The look lasted five seconds. In those five seconds, Sterling aged a year.

Guinevere broke the silence. "Let’s all take a breath here. I’m not upset."

A white lie, but necessary.

"It’s okay, Sterling. I mean it. But I am not going to stop saying thank you. I can’t help it. It’s a disease so you’ll have to deal with it."

She looked at Blair. "He said you can dress him for the summit. Full creative control, no veto power, in front of generals."

Blair tried to not look smug. "Fine. Sterling. You’re forgiven."

Kael blinked. Then he started talking.

"Here is what we know. One. Maddox has an adverse reaction to Guinevere specifically. Every other memory appears intact."

He reached into a pouch on his belt and produced six iron tokens. He set the first on the table. The tokens were unnecessary. But Kael liked having props.

"Two." He placed a second token. "Guinevere cannot feel him through their matebond."

Everyone outside of Guinevere tensed. She didn’t react.

Kael continued unbothered. "I know about their matebond. You all are ridiculous."

Third token.

"Three. Everything about her evaporates. Current situation, past memories, and context provided by other people in the room. Aldric said the word ’wife’ to his face three times. Each time, Maddox forgot it within seconds."

Fourth token.

"Four. His default response to her presence, scent, and familiar items is hostility. He called her." Kael paused, lifting both hands to form air quotes. "’Bad.’"

Fifth token.

Kael hesitated for a split second, his eyes flicking to Guinevere. "Five. He’s had three seizures where he calls her name and apologizes."

Guinevere gave no reaction to those words.

"Are we all in agreement on this information?"

Griffin nodded the way a student nods when the professor asks ’does everyone understand?’ and the answer is absolutely not but the room is already moving on.

"Wonderful." Kael swept the five tokens to one side and set a sixth in the center.

"Draven found Maddox already bleeding when his men dragged him into the throne room." He glanced up at Ryker. "Confirm."

"That’s what he said in the throne room," Ryker replied.

"Confirmed," Guinevere and Blair said at the same time with the same nod.

They turned to each other, delighted.

The room stared at them with various expressions of discomfort, confusion, and mild fear.

Blair stared back. "We’re adorable and none of you deserve to witness it. Kael, continue before I lose interest in your presentation."

Kael’s eye twitched at the word ’presentation’ but he continued.

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