A Curse of Shadows - Page 112

King Asher and Queen Isla of Polaris,

First, my apologies for not making an appearance at the queen’s coronation. I do hope you understand the stress I’m under having only just recently taken on my role as king without much notice.

Though that’s also the reason for my letter. I’m writing in hopes of having your cooperation in locating my future queen. As is my right as the King of Selaris, I hereby request that every unmated adult female within your kingdom be sent to my home by the end of the current moon cycle so that I may claim my mate.

Your cooperation in this matter will be rewarded with your pick of our next crop.

Please respond in kind at your earliest convenience.

Signed,

King Theo of Selaris

My eyes move from the slip of paper to Isla. “What are you going to do? This seems asinine to me. Why can’t he come here instead of forcing dozens of women to travel the seas to him?”

In fact, the longer I consider the request, the more it makes my blood boil.

Isla finally sits next to me and grabs my hand.

“Oh, hell no,” I say before she can get a word out. “I’m not going to answer that lazy king’s demands.”

“Estee.”

My head shakes and I pull out of her grip. “Don’t Estee me. This is crazy and you know it.”

“You’re the queen’s sister,” she tells me, as if I don’t already know. “Venaris has already sent their women. If we refuse, it won’t look good for Asher and me. Worse, I can’t ask all the other unmated females in our pack to go, but not my own flesh and blood. I need you to set an example.”

So much for being thankful to be the queen’s sister.

I cross my arms and lean back on the couch. “I don’t like you right now.”

“I don’t expect you to be happy, but just know I’m grateful.” Her grin widens. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll actually find your mate.”

There’s no stopping the gag that gets caught in my throat. “If the gods think pairing me with a king too weak or capable of leaving his own kingdom in the hands of his people is a good idea, the world is doomed already.”

Isla’s chuckle echoes through the room. “Maybe, but let’s hope not. I’d like to live this life longer than a couple decades this time around.”

Yeah, her and me both. Still, I shudder at the prospect of King Theo being my mate.

No way in hell is that happening.