The words hit like a slap.
"After all," Katia continued with quiet confidence, "I'll be seeing the King a lot now, won't I? Spending time in his palace. Who knows—maybe His Majesty will pay special attention to how I'm doing."
It was risky, using Cahir's name like armor. But Katia was done getting stepped on.
Julie's face went from red to almost purple. "You think—you believe—just because the King marked you for political reasons, that gives you the right to disrespect me?"
"Political reasons?" Katia laughed with bitterness. "Is that what we're calling it now? Not the mate bond? Not fate?"
"Don't you dare!" Julie snarled, stepping closer. "You're just a convenient tool!"
The words stung, partly because Katia worried they might be true.
But she wouldn't let it show. I
