I reached for my crown and placed the thin woven gold band atop my head. It wasn't decorated with jewels or anything ostentatious.
Its design was simple and elegant, previously only worn by the kings of Valgertha, only to be worn by me now, as their queen.
I growled, the sound low and vicious, even to me.
I wasn't afraid of King Thranar. He should be afraid of me.
"That's the look of a queen if I ever saw one," Aric said, and I turned to face him.
"My city has need of me. I shall return later this evening," I replied. I didn't ask him if he wanted to come with me, because I had no intentions of letting him.
He smirked, just gazing back at me.
"Do you think I will just sit back and wait for you here in your chambers?" he asked, his voice darkening with warning.
"Yes," I answered brazenly.
