Her posture and bearing were perfect, her hands clasped together at her waist as she glided across the room, her gaze on the prince and the prince alone—and appreciation flaring in her eyes. She reached the prince and gave him a lovely curtsy. “Your Highness.”
“No need for formalities, Caty. Please meet Galen, my bodyguard, and Red, my training master.”
“Your Ladyship,” they said with sweeping bows.
She gave them perfectly polite smiles, then glanced around. “And Fox, I see.”
“Your Ladyship,” I said with a curtsy.
Her gaze shifted to Wren. “And who is this?”
“Caty,” he said, “meet Wren. An excellent fighter and friend of Fox’s who has also been of great service to the throne.”
“Your Ladyship,” Wren said, and executed a curtsy so perfect that even Talia gave a nod of approval.
“You meet such interesting people,” Catalaya said. Red had said nearly the same thing when we’d met, but he’d sounded amused and curious; Catalaya sounded wary.
“I hear that often,” he said. “Let’s eat.”
There were two seats at the end of the long table. The prince helped Catalaya into one. And when she was seated, he looked up and gave me a warm smile.
“Kissing wasn’t the only thing you did,” Wren whispered as we walked to the table. I ignored her, but I could feel the flush in my cheeks.
Talia directed us to the next seats in line, with Galen and Red across from us. Servants descended, dropping goblets and bowls and platters in front of us. The food looked good; the crockery looked better, including that same silver bowl I’d seen at the party. It was still tempting.
“Tell me truly, Niko,” Catalaya said, pivoting toward him. How are you faring in this faraway place?”
“Food’s better than the army’s,” he said, lifting his goblet, “thanks to our very hardworking staff. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves.”
I didn’t need more invitation than that, and sipped the sweetwine. It wasn’t Vhranian, but it was still better than the cheap stuff they served at the inn.
“I’m glad to hear it. Laeith is busy, of course. The work of a prince is never done.”
“There’s certainly enough of it.”
She sipped delicately at her wine, glanced around, and her gaze fell on me. “And where are you from, Fox?”
“The stronghold.”
“And your family?”
“I don’t have family. They died, and I was bonded to pay their debts.”
Her eyes narrowed for an instant—probably considering how she could use that information—then widened in sympathy that looked very real. “Children carrying the debts of their parents is a cruelty that no one should have to endure. Something could be done about it.” She looked expectantly at the prince.
This woman didn’t care if I was free or not. But this was a performance for the only person in the room whose opinion she cared about.
“It’s something I’ve suggested to the Emperor Eternal,” he said, and sipped his wine.
“Good,” Catalaya said, then looked at me. “It must be very intimidating—being in the palace and surrounded by such luxury.”
I hadn’t expected to like her, and the condescension masked by concern confirmed my first impression. “It’s a very unusual place,” I agreed.
“I owe you a great deal of thanks for saving Niko’s life.” She glanced at him with a soft smile. “How else could we have a future together?”
Something cold settled into my belly, and it wasn’t the wine.
Nik nearly choked on his and held up a hand when Galen jumped up in alarm. “I’m fine. My fault entirely.” He dabbed anapkin at his mouth, then glanced up at me. “My fault entirely,” he said again, and gave me a quick warning nod.
