Chapter Twenty-Three

I felt drawn to the town of Mintia and I looked through the window eagerly, soaking up as much as I could. People stared because the SUV held the flags of my Dukeship. Nobody waved and nobody smiled, which got me to thinking that my reception with the Elders would be cold as well.

We met in the Town Hall meeting room with an oval table. There were still two heads and none of the men had taken their seats. I smelled bourbon and Ivan cleared his throat when we entered. They all stared at Milo with open hostility but their searing gazes of hate were spared for me.

“Good afternoon Elders of Mintia.” I spoke first and they all just stared.

“I present Duke Wynter Grey the new Sire of Mintia.”

“We don’t need the son-in-law of the King to harass this town any further!” The man that had spoken was angry. His eyes burned with fury and I realized I was in the presence of allies, they just didn’t know it yet.

“Tell me Duke why exactly did you choose Mintia to settle your seat?”

“That is Elder And