The plan was simple: latch onto Riona like an overly ambitious barnacle, stick by her side until he was close enough to the demon, and then do whatever it took to make the creature submit to him.
Surely, if he stuck close to the Blood Moon child, King Valentin's own niece, he'd be able to waltz through the palace gates without anyone hurling a spear at him. Right?
And then… waiting.
Of course, he had to forget that no matter how unconventional Riona was, she was still a woman preparing to leave. And that meant delays. Endless delays.
Kaan stood there, first bored, then irritated, then contemplating arson. Maybe if he set fire to the whole forest, she'd hurry up. Or maybe he should just drag her by the wrist and shove her into the carriage. He would deal with the fallout later.
"Who does she think she is? Making an emperor wait on her? Is she out of her mind?!" Thessara bellowed, fanning the flames of Kaan's growing irritation.
