With a two-fingered wave and a widening grin, Mira’s holo disappeared.
Oppressive silence hung over the room like a heavy cloak. Footsteps clomped against the marble floors outside, accompanied by drifting voices. The deep ticking of an antique chrono filled the musty chamber. Zane made no move to speak.
“That was… awkward.”
The leather chair squeaked as Zane rose to his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. “You can say that again. I’ll, uh… remind Mira her job’s not to play matchmaker.”
“Though with her skills, she’d be good at it.”
His jaw tightened. “Yeah. Probably. I guess she got it right for you, too.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know what it means,” Zane grumbled, plodding to the looming rosewood doors.
Kalie tried to call him back, but the words got stuck in her throat. He yanked open the door and let it slam behind him.
Her heart sank, leaving a hollow ache behind.
She desperately wished she could turn back the chrono an hour, so she could’ve had that moment with him before the weight of her responsibilities and the impending invasion crashed down. He’dvisited her dreams more than once over the past few weeks, weakening her resolve each time. But while she’d fantasized about how his lips would feel against hers, she’d known she couldn’t let it happen. It wouldn’t have been fair to him. What was their endgame? One stolen kiss, one secret night, and then what? A life of furtive looks and awkward silences? Unrealistic scenarios and dreams of what could have been?
Kalie slumped into her plushy chair. If the Dalian Church heard rumors of her fling with a commoner, she’d meet the same fate as Grandmother Madeleine: branded a sinner, excommunicated from the Church, denied entrance to Azura’s heavens. Even the loyal members of her court would reject her, and she’d lose all hope of regaining her throne.
If Aunt Calida and Lexie were alive, none of this would be a problem. A princessa faced far less scrutiny than a future duchissa. She could’ve sought a future with anyone she wanted and settled down in one of the manors from her dowry. Others would’ve disapproved, but her choices wouldn’t have made much of a difference.
Carik had taken that future away from her. He’d takenZaneaway from her.
She wouldn’t let him take Dali too.
Kalie stared at the ticking chrono, a flowery gold ornament sitting in the shadow of a colossal crystal mirror. Five days.
There was no time to waste.
A cacophonyof voices rose from the colossal rosewood conference table, where a dozen envoys bickered under the flickering light of the monumental chandelier. A servant bustled past, precariously balancing massive trays of colorful fruit. Pursing her lips, Kalie flattened herself against one of the burgundy curtains. They had a battle to plan. There was no time for breakfast.
Selene was a spectral phantom beside her, silently observing theconference. Dark bags hung under her glassy eyes, so deep that her caked-on makeup couldn’t cover them. The winged tip of her eyeliner, always immaculate, was smudged and crooked.
“You’re quiet today.”
The glaze over Selene’s eyes vanished, but her face remained drawn, and her tone was lifeless. “You should do what you think is best.”
Kalie’s brows pinched together. “Selene…”
She didn’t seem to hear her. Kalie drew her lip between her teeth. The wordsare you alrightwere on the tip of her tongue, but obviously Selene wasn’t alright. Against her protests, the Etovians were going to war. Her people would die.
“I’m sorry,” Kalie murmured.
As Selene stared at the opulent chrono on her wrist, she took a step closer, trying to meet her eyes.
Flicking her lank hair over her shoulder, Selene raised her head. “I’m not feeling well today. Please, excuse me.”
Kalie opened her mouth to call after her, but a gavel struck the table. Holoprojections appeared over the empty chairs. Nadar, Poltrun, Gar and Akron, Arrosa, Julian’s parents, Haeden’s family, the other Dalians.
Selene slipped through one of the gilded doors where Zane stood guard.
Kalie almost followed her. Almost.
Astonished whispers swept around the holos, and the sound of her name drew Kalie’s attention back to the envoys.
