“Why are you still making an effort with me?” I ask, breaking the silence between us. “We have always been enemies, and we will always be enemies. Why try to force together puzzle pieces that will never fit?” I ask.

The king’s hands slide into the pockets of his suit, and he bows his head, like he’s actually thinking deeply on my question.

Finally, he speaks. “That first moment I saw you,” Montes says, “I felt a jolt right here,” Montes places a hand over his heart, “and I knew with certainty that you were mine.”

“I’m not a possession, something you repeatedly seem to forget.”

“Your heart is, and I wish to own it—I will own it.”

I give him a curious look. “So confident.”

We walk a few more paces in silence. “What is it that interests you?” Montes asks, glancing at me. “Apart from slaying, that is.”

I ignore the barb and don’t hesitate when I respond. “World affairs.”

I glance at Montes to gauge his reaction, but he seems unsurprised. I was an emissary before I was his fiancée, after all. “Any areas in particular?” he asks.

Perhaps he means regions of the globe, but I interpret the question differently. An image of burned skin and patchy hair comes to mind. Another of the palsy a former soldier developed. All were the result of radiation poisoning and biological warfare. Not to mention that strange things are occurring in the king’s labs, things he’s kept quiet on. I want to know what those secrets are.

“Health,” I say. “Innovations that will help people’s quality of life.”

He watches me for a long time. “You will make a great queen.”

I press my lips together to keep my upper lip from curling at the title.

“The people need a leader who listens to their needs,” the king continues as we come to a stop in front of my door. “Cares about them.”

At his words, I close my eyes. I’m not sure I want to hear what he has to say. It means committing to my role as the king’s wife, as the queen. I’m not ready for that.

His hand cups my chin. “Open your eyes, Serenity.”

I do.

“If you are genuinely interested in health and technology as it relates to world affairs, I will give you access to that information.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Really?” Excitement creeps into my voice.

His smile is sly. He knows I’ve taken his bait. “As soon as we’re married and you’ve proven that you’re not planning on killing me or yourself, then absolutely.”

And there’s the catch.

I scowl at him. “I already told you, I’m not going to do anything.”

He touches a finger to my lips, and I pretend his touch does nothing to me. “I need more than just your word,” he says. “I need proof.”