The gown fell in deep burgundy, edged with gold, and I hoped the purplish tone sat far enough from red not to trouble Kallias. I hadn’t worn the color since the Dragon Ship, yet I lacked the nerve to ask him. I was a queen, and he told me he didn’t care what I wore. We both knew that was true, but I didn’t want to be confronted with it.
The wait wasn’t long before my husband stepped through the dressing room, Fallione and Greaves close behind. His gaze skimmed down me with the faintest pause as he shifted to block Fallione’s view. He caught himself gawking, and in one smooth motion, he pivoted toward the vanity, checking his hair while his advisor rattled on.
“The wives shall be in attendance, along with Penelope of Gog.” Fallione offered me a slight bow before returning to his list. “I would prepare for tension from her.”
“I will handle her,” I said, lifting my chin.
Edith frowned, tightening her hold on my braids as I moved.
“She was betrothed to Verad, Your Majesty. She may be unsettled by yesterday’s news.”
“Nothing she wouldn’t expect,” I replied. “As a woman of the court, I’ll handle her.”
Kallias combed his hair, setting it in place. “Tonight marks our first official night back in court. Tensions will run high for everyone. Still, I suspect the worst of the gleaning has passed. Unless you sense more unrest?”
“Things are settling,” Fallione said, relief easing his breath. “Their presence unnerves the people, but they are well aware that the Harvesters are working hard to clear the Velli from our city. They’ll calm soon enough. For now, the nobles and common folk alike are walking on eggshells.”
A smirk touched my mouth. A common phrase, though dragon eggshells endured far more than a careless step.
Kallias straightened as he adjusted the chains of his mantle. “We will put them at ease.”
“You’ve considered what I suggested?” Fallione rolled his papers closed.
Silence answered.
I glanced over my shoulder, forcing Edith to shuffle with me. My husband’s eyes bore into mine, narrowed, distant with thought.
“What did you suggest?” I asked, curiosity pricking at whatever had stilled him.
“I’ll tell you later.” He shook his head. “Fallione, see that the room is calm before we arrive.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He withdrew, leaving us behind.
I watched my husband as his gaze turned inward. His jaw worked from side to side as he mulled over his thoughts.
Edith finished and tucked my hair off my shoulders. I brushed at phantom strands along my neck and stood, dismissing my maids. Greaves wrestled with a silver vambrace, and I crossed the room to assist him.
He stilled when I caught his wrist, eyes snapping to mine before flicking to Kallias.
“Will a Thresher be joining you tonight?” I asked, nails picking at the knotted leather.
“Only if you separate.” His voice stayed low, indifferent.
I wanted to draw him out of his shell. He was my husband’s closest friend; we could manage cordiality.
A smile curved my mouth as I loosened the tie. “Then we shall not part.”
My husband’s hand closed over mine, lifting my fingers from the vambrace to settle them on his arm. My attention to his guard drew no reaction from him, yet he turned me toward the door all the same.
“Together, my queen.”
The halls stood clear and clean. The servants had labored endlessly to scour the bloodstains from the carpets and walls. Vases had been replaced, torn vines trimmed and set right. But the paintings? Still absent. Vast gaps scarred the corridors, revealing bare sandstone—a barren and solemn reminder of what had happened here.
I measured each step, mapping our path to the dining hall, heart thudding with every pace.
This marked my formal introduction to his court. Tradition called for a ball, a celebration of our kingdoms bound together. Instead, we pressed forward with a dinner, treating it as nothing more than a routine affair.
The doors were closed when we arrived, flanked by two soldiers. Kallias turned to me, his eyes dancing across my face as his mouth formed a firm line. His gaze snagged on the bandage peeking above my collar, impossible to hide. He blinked, hiding the twitch, then swallowed.
