Lady Carlisle’s stormy grey eyes look over us critically. I wonder what she makes of our family.
The four of us are fairly close in age. My three younger siblings all have my father’s raven-black hair and dark brown eyes, so deep, they appear almost black at times. I, on the other hand, stand out like a sore thumb with my reddish-brown hair and vivid green eyes.
Father points toward me. “This is my eldest, Raelyn, then we have the twins, Chessa and Erika, and finally, last but not least, Charlie.”
“I so look forward to making your acquaintance,” Lady Carlisle purrs demurely.
I’ll believe that when the sun shines at night.
Chapter Four
KIAN
“You have got to start taking your role as prince seriously, Kian,” my father, the king, drones on in his condescending manner. “If you won’t settle down, I’ll make you.”
“You can’t be serious, Father.” I groan, covering my face with my hand.
“I’m dead serious. You’ve had your fun—you’ve traveled the realm—now it’s your turn to fulfill your duty to the crown.”
I sit up straighter, uncovering my face, and glare at him across the table overladen with delicacies. “I’m just the spare, Father. What duties could I possibly have?”
His dark grey eyes meet mine as he spears a piece of fruit. “You may not be my heir, but to keep our kingdom strong, you will do your part.”
My eyes follow the fruit as Father gestures at me with his fork. It’s just about to fall off when he shovels it into his mouth; the disgusting slurp makes me want to flee the table.
“I’m not convinced your brother will provide an heir, so we need backup. Just be glad I’m not shipping you off to anotherkingdom,” he says with his mouth full. “Thank the gods our alliances hold strong.”
I’m going to be ill. Everything about this man sickens me—from his eating habits, to his policies, to the cavalier way he discusses my brother’s painful lack of living heirs, though he and his wife have been trying for the past eleven years. I’m glad Colin’s not present to hear it. Father adds another pile of food onto his plate, and I bite my tongue. Doesn’t he realize our people are suffering while he has a meal large enough for twenty laid out on this table? My stomach flips unhappily. Maybe I really am going to be sick. I push my plate away.
“Just spit it out, Father. Do you have someone in mind?”
“Cary Astoria is hosting a ball in celebration of his latestconquest. I’d like you to attend in my stead and survey your prospects. I believe his daughters have yet to be bound.”
A painful ache in my chest distracts me from my upset stomach, and I rub at it, as if the touch could somehow soothe it.
“Oh, so you’re saying I get a choice in who I wed?”
The king points his fork at me again. “Don’t you get ahead of yourself, my boy. I will step in if you fail to do what I ask. You must be bound by the end of the season.”
My jaw drops. That’s not nearly enough time.
Trying to appeal to his rational side—if ever he did have one—I soften my shoulders, hoping to appear less intimidating. “Father, are you certain it must be so soon? Colin and Julianaareabout to have their first child, and I would not want to take away from that grand celebration.”
The king snorts while some of the juice slides down his chin. “We’ll see.”
Unable to stop myself, I start to reprimand, “Fath?—”
The word fizzles out as he fixes me with a glare. “I’ll consider it, but youwillattend that ball and youwilldance with all of the eligible maidens there. Understood?”
I clench my teeth to keep the snarky response inside and give him a curt nod instead. “May I be excused, Father?”
He waves his fork at me again, and I rush out of the room. How my mother ever put up with him is beyond me.
I make my way to the training yard, hoping to work off some of my pent-up frustration.
“In a rush, aren’t we?” I pull up short and turn to my best friend, Alex, who is leaning against the side of the courtyard wall, his dark skin gleaming under the lamps.
“Perfect timing,” I drawl. “Ready for an ass-kicking?”
