HEIR OF THE DRAGON

CHAPTER 3

In spite of the crown he wore, her father didn't have the most forceful presence. There were times during meetings of the small council when he seemed to fade into the background as his advisors debated matters of state. This was not one of those times. When Henry rose to address the council, everyone in the room could tell that this was no ordinary moment.

The king cleared his throat and began, "Before we adjourn today, there is another matter I wish to address. I have decided to take a new wife."

Before continuing, he looked at Lalisa and she gave her father a reassuring smile. When he first brought it up, she hadn't liked the idea of his remarrying, especially so soon after her mother's death, but he had convinced her this was necessary for the good of the realm. Along with his assurances that she would remain his heir no matter what, she had made her peace.

Or at least she thought she had. Henry looked over the room and continued, "I intend to marry Lady Roseanne Park before spring's end."

Lalisa was too stunned to speak. When she had given her approval, she had assumed the likeliest match was with her cousin Jennie and if not her, then... well, she didn't know, but someone else, anyone but Roseanne. Roseanne is... She didn't know how to finish the thought. The omega wasn't hers, not like that. Roseanne had made as much clear two days ago in the Godswood. Yet the idea that she would now marry Lalisa's father went against every wish, every urge that she possessed.

Nor was she the only one outraged. Lord Lionel Velaryon rose from his chair, shooting the king a glare that showed a distinct lack of respect for royal authority. "This is an absurdity. My house is Valyrian. The greatest power in the realm."

At exactly the wrong time, her father decided not to back down. "And I am your king," he declared.

As the two men locked eyes, Lalisa saw James Park looking across the table at Lord Lionel, a smug smile on his face. In that single expression, she learned the truth: this was the match he'd been planning all along, the one Roseanne had been given strict orders not to disrupt.

Had Roseanne known? Lalisa turned to the omega and immediately had her answer. Roseanne's face was blank and lifeless, leaving no doubt she was every bit as shocked as Lalisa.

Say something, she wanted to scream. Tell him you won't do it, that it's me you want.

But Roseanne said nothing, keeping her eyes pinned meekly to the ground as the Seasnake stormed from the room. Once more, the omega had decided to be a coward. She would do nothing but comply with Henry and James's wishes, no matter how terrible they were.

Rage and grief warred within Lalisa, both powerful enough to make her cry. Only pride kept the urge at bay. She was a princess, the heir to the Iron Throne, and she wouldn't let them break her.

Her father, though, wasn't fooled by her brave facade. He could see the distress on her face and he said her name plaintively, confused as to what he'd done wrong. She had no answers that she could give. Instead, she simply did as Lord Lionel had, fleeing from the chamber as fast as dignity would allow. Behind her, she could hear the clanking of Ser Cristen's armor as her sworn protector followed her down the corridor, but in spite of his presence, she had never felt so alone.

****

Henry was waiting for her when she landed. Since that day in the council chambers, Lalisa had managed to avoid her father but when she looked down from Syrax's back to see him standing outside the Dragonpit's entrance, escorted by two of his Kingsguard, she knew she'd run out of luck.

Not necessarily, the voice of her anger growled. She could always climb back into the skies, leaving her father to look the fool. It was an impulse she resisted. As furious as she was, she would have to speak to him eventually and at least now, she would have Syrax by her side.