“Why are you glaring at Wren?”
“I’m not glaring.” But he shifted on his feet, uncomfortable at having been caught.
“If you want to dance, go ask her.” I said it to tease him—mostly I wanted him to quit giving her sour looks—but I’d have sworn there was a blush high on his cheeks. And the noise he made to show that he found the idea ridiculous wasn’t entirely convincing.
“I don’t dance. I’m a soldier. And even if I did, it wouldn’t be with her.”
“Too much for you?” I looked back at her. “I can see how you might find her intimidating.”
“I’m not intimidated. She’s a thief.”
“More a thief’s assistant.” And thank the gods she wasn’t near enough to hear me say that.
“That’s actually worse.” But his gaze still followed her as she moved around the room, looking at the windows, the ceilings, the people, as she sipped sweetwine from her goblet.
“Your loss.” But I leaned forward. “She could probably teach you a few things.”
The blush deepened.
“About clomping,” I said with a grin. “What did you think I meant?” And didn’t bother to wait for his answer.
With Wren occupied, I walked to the table laden with food—each gold or silver or ceramic vessel worth ample coin in the market. If you could find a buyer for an obviously filched pot.
One silver bowl held small sweets shaped like fruits—apples and pears. Along one side of the vessel, an engraved archer aimed; on the other, a woman slept beneath a flowering tree. The deer and flowers were done in gold. It was very pretty.
I gave it a good look, then put it down again and found the woman behind me eyeing me like a fox sneaking around a chicken coop.
“It’s very attractive,” I said in the poshest tone I could manage.
The look she gave me said she’d seen through the hair and the dress and knew who and what I was. I could feel the dress tighten around me like rope.
I managed to walk away with my head high and shoulders back, but that look stung. She hadn’t even used words; a single insulting look had my confidence withering like a worn-outflower. I hadn’t known I had that kind of cowardice in me, and I didn’t like learning it.
Fact was, there was nothing to be gained from spending time with people who thought they were better than me because their fates had been woven differently. They weren’t people I wanted or needed to know. Since I’d done my duty and come to the ball, it was time to make my exit.
I strode to the far door through which we’d entered, and had nearly reached it when the prince stepped in front of me.
“Fox.”
“Your Highness.” I kept my eyes on the door.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“The room is very beautiful.”
“I’m glad you think so. I was trying to impress you.”
I snorted. “You’re a prince. You don’t have to try to impress people. You can command it.”
“Commanding people to emote is very unsatisfying. If you’re enjoying the—where are you going?”
“To my room. I’m…very tired.”
“The sun has barely set.”
I faked a yawn. And not very well. It was harder than it seemed.
His expression was bland. “And the truth?”
