“Have you shared the news with everyone else?” she asked, looking brightly around.
“There’s no news.”
“Of course there is. My parents made an offer to the Emperor Eternal, and Laeith fully supports it.”
“I’ve made clear…”
“That you aren’t ready. I know. That’s only because you don’t understand how beneficial it would be. How happy you and I will be when we’re married. Besides, it’s not really up to you, is it? It’s up to the Emperor Eternal. And your father understands my family’s value to the throne.”
Beneath the table, Wren reached out and squeezed my hand.
I could see Nik’s temper rising, and what looked like a battle between politeness and irritation.
“Caty,” he said firmly, very much The Prince’s tone, and she blinked in what looked like real surprise. Maybe she’d forgotten who he was—or never really knew. “We will discuss this in private, or not at all.”
It took a moment for her to compose herself, but then the smile was back in place. “Very well,” she said. “We’ll discuss it later.”
And the look she gave me was utterly victorious.
I must have eaten, but I didn’t taste the food. I just kept thinking about last night, about our moment in the darkness, and the possibility that he’d be handed over to her.
Maybe he was the thing I needed to steal from the palace.
I couldn’t muster up the fury I wanted to feel. He may or maynot be in line for a betrothal he didn’t want. Didn’t that mean last night had been a mistake and a betrayal, because he hadn’t even mentioned the possibility to me? Anger would be better; anger would have burned away the fear that felt like a cold stone in my belly. Anger that I’d let myself fall too deeply and, as my father had predicted, that royals would hurt us all in the end.
I’d seen the anger in his face, the battle for control. This wasn’t a simple matter. Was anything when it involved gods-damned Lys’Careths?
“I take great pride in my soldiers’ skills,” the prince was saying, “so we thought you might enjoy a demonstration of their prowess with weapons.”
“That sounds exciting,” she said, and touched his hand. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you with a sword.”
“Excellent,” he said, standing up and neatly slipping his hand from hers. He glanced at Talia. “If you’d escort Catalaya and her companion to the courtyard, I’d like to have a word with Red and Galen.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Talia said.
Catalaya apparently couldn’t think of a reason to stay behind, so she gave us all a pretty nod and let Talia direct her to the doorway. And when she reached it, she looked back to give the prince a blushing smile full of promise.
I drained the rest of my wine, glad I wasn’t the one giving the demonstration. My blade might slip.
Wren and I stood together for a moment as the prince talked to Galen and Red, so that hadn’t been a ploy. Or not entirely. And when they were done, he turned his gaze to me and walked toward us.
Wren cleared her throat in warning but moved discreetly away.
“We’re not betrothed,” he said quietly when he reached me, and he took my hand. “Her parents proposed a match because I’m friendly with the Northern Prince. I declined.”
“She seems to think it’s imminent.”
“She’s wrong. Even my father won’t force me into a marriage I don’t want. And I don’t want it.” He looked in the direction she’d walked with narrowed and questioning eyes. “So I’m not sure why she’s here.”
“To force your hand.”
He looked back at me. “She can’t.”
“Still, be careful of her. She’d have had to leave the Edgelands before you reached the stronghold, so she couldn’t have known about the assassination attempt. Either she planned her trip the moment you were Gated—”
“Or she has contacts in the palace,” he finished, “and a very fast messenger.”
“Exactly,Niko.”
