I disentangled myself from Matthew before walking toward my father. He had taken a seat back in the chair nearby, his gaze boring into me. Luka, Kalen, and Matthew turned away to give us privacy, engaging in whispered small talk.
Attempting to place a smile on my face, I turned to my father. “Let’s get you cleaned up, hm? And we’ll open a window to let in the fresh air. How does that sound?”
His eyes didn’t leave mine as he said, “You need to see to your sister.”
My blood ran cold, and every person in the room tensed as a taut silence stretched between us. His eyes pierced mine and I couldn’t hold his gaze. It was a coward’s move; I knew that, but I cleared my throat instead. “Let me get you taken care of first.”
He shook his head, his fist slamming against the tabletop. “No. You need to go see your sister first.” My father had never raised his voice at me, never shown anger toward me like this. “Her pyre will be lit tonight, and she needs to be prepared. You will be the one to do it. I…I cannot.”
Luka stepped up beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder. “My king, perhaps you should let Eva tend to you first. And then I will show her to—” he paused, wincing as he glanced at me“—Erina’s resting place. Surely you would like to be with her to prepare the body? Or perhaps we could have Briar—”
“No,” he said, his voice taking an icy tone. “No, Eva will do it now. I don’t give a shit what I look or smell like. I want her taken care of first. Erina comes first.”
I fought the tears that threatened to fall. Luka shot me a pleading look, but I waved him off. “Of course, Father. I will see to the ceremony.”
His voice was little more than a growl as he said, “Now. You will go now.”
He did not move, his eyes locked on something in the distance. I stood slowly from the table, each step leading me toward the door. The men followed me out. We lingered in the hallway as a chill washed over my skin.
I cleared my throat, looking down at my hands as the door to my father’s chambers closed behind us. I felt their stares, felt the words left unsaid. “Luka, will you prepare a statement regarding Erina’s pyre? Let the people know her ceremony will take place when the sun falls. They will want to mourn the loss of their princess like the rest of us. And will you also find Briar and have her talk some sense into my father? I want to ensure he’s with someone I trust; it is clear he hasn’t been taking care of himself. Perhaps some tough love from her will do the trick.” He nodded, squeezing my hand before turning away. “Kalen, will you attempt to find Trystan? I assume he’s still here somewhere?”
“I’ll do it,” Matthew said, pressing a kiss to my cheek. Kalen glanced at him, a question behind his blue eyes. “He’s my brother. I’ll do it,” Matthew said again. I didn’t want him to go, and I could tell, based on the look he was giving me, that he didn’t want to leave me. “Perhaps Kalen will catch you up on anything you may need to know before facing the public and your court.”
Kalen nodded. “While it’s mostly been the same shit, there are things you need to be prepared for. I’d gladly assist you.”
Matthew clapped him on his shoulder. “Where am I likely to find Trystan?”
“Most likely in Erina’s rooms. He’s rarely left them since…” Kalen didn’t need to finish his sentence; we all knew what he was speaking about before he said it. “If he isn’t there, we will run into him ourselves in the caverns beneath the palace.”
“Of course,” Matthew said, turning to me. “I’ll see you soon, darling.” He turned away, leaving Kalen and me standing in the hallway. My hands shivered, the mere thought of the task ahead causing my stomach to drop. Was I ready to do this? I did not know, but there was no time like the present to figure it out.
* * *
Kalen tookhold of my hand, placing it in the crook of his elbow. “I know it feels impossible at the moment, Eva, but there will come a time when life isn’t so—”
“Shitty?”
He laughed, tossing his head back. “Yes. Shitty. I couldn’t have described it better myself.”
We walked along the halls, keeping to the shadows as the sun began its ascent. People were milling about, either wandering to their rooms after late-night encounters or readying for the day. The difference between only an hour ago and now was staggering. While it still felt quiet and confined, the palace came to life. Peaceful, even.
Kalen kept the conversation light, no doubt keeping my mind from my impending task. He told me of the pubs he wanted to try, and how the women of Helia were some of the most beautiful he’d ever seen—raising his eyebrow at me in jest. Perhaps this was Matthew’s reasoning for Kalen’s company. It wasn’t so much to keep me informed, but to take my mind off my sister and father. And I was more than grateful for the distraction.
I paused as we rounded the corner. “Where is Renai hiding? Was Luka not able to find her?”
Kalen’s cheeks pinked slightly, so quickly I would have missed it had I not been paying attention. “Oh, I’m not sure. Who knows what mischief she’s getting herself into?”
“So you haven’t seen her?” I pressed.
“Not at all. Not since we passed each other on patrol the other morning.”
I rolled my eyes, opening the portrait and descending the stairs. “Do you think I’m foolish? That I can’t see what is right in front of me?”
He huffed, not giving in an ounce. “And what, pray tell, is that, Princess?”
I turned to stare at him, blocking his path with my arm so he could not pass. “You arrived this morning in a disarray. Your clothes were wrinkled and disheveled, your hair coming unbound from its leather. And--” I paused, raising my eyebrow and sniffing the air, noticing the change in his scent and the second one clinging to his skin. “And there is the fact that anyone in a five-mile radius could scent her on you? Gods above, Kalen. It’s potent. Care to lie to me again?”
Kalen muttered something that sounded like, “Godsdamned observant women,” before pushing past me.
