“Leanna is my fated mate.” Cedric puts his arm around my waist, his voice calm. “You are not and have never been my queen.”
Bella chooses this moment to come and stand beside Vivian, her voice tense. “Your Majesty, you are well aware of that woman’s status. Everything Queen Vivian speaks is the truth. The noble families don’t recognize this woman as our queen. Why are you dragging our personal matters out in front of all three kingdoms?” She looks at me, and I see the anger and disgust in her eyes. “If you wish to take this woman as your mistress, we will overlook the matter, but you cannot claim this bastard child as your heir.”
Her words are carefully chosen, each barb aimed to draw blood.
I open my mouth, but Cedric doesn’t give me the chance to speak. “Princess Vivian was always mea
