Queen of Swords Read Online Free Page B

around him. “Papa.”
    Gerard looked down, appearing to give her all his attention. Boone knew better. “Look at him, baby girl. What kind of man sends a damned mercenary to pick up his bride?”
    Certainly not Kristian, but Boone wasn’t about to tell them so.
    Then the big man’s word penetrated. Bride . Kristian was marrying her. Boone had the curious sensation of falling while still remaining on his feet. He felt his face settle into the familiar cold mask.
    “Gerard.” The mother—Marianna—took one look at his expression and slipped under her husband’s arm. “We discussed this. This is the man she must go with.”
    “You talked, woman. I never agreed to anything.” His voice was gruff, but Boone noted genuine affection. Given their history, it shouldn’t have surprised him. But it did.
    Then again, aside from Jenny and her personal brand of crazy, Boone didn’t have much experience with loving families.
    Marianna patted her husband’s chest and nodded at her daughter. “There’s a bag by the door with a few things you’ll need. Everything else will be provided for you.”
    “So soon?” Ophelia looked shell-shocked, her violet eyes wide. “I just found out about this.”
    “I know, daughter, but this is the Lady’s will.”
    She sighed. While she hugged her parents, Boone half expected her to burst into tears or theatrics, but it was a relatively calm affair. Then she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
    He turned to follow her, but a large hand on his arm stopped him. Boone went still, waiting to see what Gerard would do. “Yes?”
    “I know what you are, and I see the way you look at her. You touch my baby girl, I’ll skin you alive.” Knowing Sanctify’s practices, it wasn’t an idle threat. The big man grinned, sending Boone’s instincts on red alert. “That is, if there’s a big enough piece left when she gets done with you.”
    Boone stared until Gerard nodded and let his hand drop. Marianna smiled as if they were discussing the weather. “We’ll be seeing you again, Boone.”
    Had he told them his name? He didn’t think so. The small hairs on the nape of his neck rose, and he backed slowly out the door. Godsdamned Diviners. And there was one waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs, her boot tapping impatiently.
    “Let’s go.” He started down the street without waiting to see if she’d follow. She would, or he’d go back and throw her over his shoulder. It would play hells with the plan to act like he was there on Kristian’s orders, but Boone couldn’t afford to leave her behind. Not after finding out she planned to accept the prince’s proposal.
    With a muttered curse she jogged up until she was even with him, slipping on a pair of tinted red glasses. “Where are we going?”
    He debated not answering, but couldn’t resist the temptation to keep her talking. “The private shipyards.”
    “Of course we are.” Clenching her jaw so hard couldn’t be good for her teeth. Ophelia slanted a look at him and frowned. “I seem to have forgotten your name.”
    Something like hurt snaked its way through him, quickly followed by an uglier emotion. How many men had she gone to bed with, not bothering to remember their names after the night was gone?
    “Oh.” Boone made his voice flat and disinterested. He’s been using his old man’s tricks more and more lately. Someday he’d have to thank his father for forcing Boone to learn them in the first place. “How fortunate for me.”
    He picked up his pace and, this time, she followed silently. The residential neighborhood evolved into the market district, delicious smells saturating the air despite the early hour. Here, more than Ophelia’s neighborhood, he saw the evidence of Sanctify, from the smattering of posters around the square to the huge vid of the High Priest giving a speech about some speciesist bullshit or another. Not only were there guards dressed in white set up at every entrance to the market, but