“And besides,” he adds, dryly, “anyone who spends more than a moment in our presence will quickly realize I have no control over you at all.”
I let the knife clatter to the plate, sinking back into my chair. I want to resist the entire lunch offering out of principle, but once again, the bread proves too tempting, so I keep it in my hands and continue to pick at it.
“But the fact remains that it makes them trust you more when they see us together like this,” he goes on, while I reluctantly nibble the bread. “And it gives them hope that you and your dragon might truly be bound to me and my crown,eventually. Hope that they—and my entire city—could use after these latest attacks. Everyone is on edge.”
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“It’s simple: Attend the Sun Harvest Feast at my side.”
“So that you can add fuel to the rumors? So your people can make up wild stories about how we’re in love, or destined to be betrothed, or whatever else?—”
“It doesn’t have to be that serious,” he says, flatly. “A hint of affection will suffice; it will fuel their imaginations and fill their needs well enough.”
I shake my head. “This is a ridiculous proposal, and you are a ridiculous man.”
“I’ve been called far worse.”
“I know you have—byme, among others.”
“That’s true; last night I was vile and murderous. Now I’m simply ridiculous.” A hint of a smile crosses his face. “So we’re halfway to affection already, easy as that.”
I briefly consider throwing my bread at him, but I can’t bring myself to waste it like that.
“Two days until the event. You will, of course, be granted a break from your training in the meantime, so you can be well rested for our little ruse.”
“So, my options are to continue suffering in the arena, or to suffer at your side as your pretend queen-to-be.”
“If it’s any consolation,” he says, getting to his feet, “suffering at my side will also come with gifts. Drinks. Dinner. Dancing.” He eyes the bread clutched in my hand. “All the bread you can eat, if that sways you in any way.”
I pop the last bite into my mouth, chewing it aggressively while I continue to glare at him.
“Give me your answer by tomorrow,” he says, turning to leave.
When I finally escape theking’s bedroom, it’s late afternoon, and the first thing I do is go look for Briar. It takes a bit of searching, but I eventually find her near the royal stables, visiting Garnet and Midnight.
I feel somewhat guilty at the sight of my mother’s old mare; it’s been days since I’ve visited her—though I know she’s been well taken care of since she was brought here. These stables are far warmer and more comfortable than anything she ever stayed in back home; it probably feels like a vacation to her.
Briar spots me and nearly trips over a feed bucket in her haste to close the space between us. “I was starting to worry about you,” she says, wrapping me in a brief, crushing embrace.
We spend a moment spoiling our horses with a few more treats and rubs, then she hooks her arm around mine and leads me outside.
Once we’re out of earshot of all the stablehands, she leans in and says, “Firstly: I’m glad you’re alive. Apparently, the palace’s little event venue went up in flames during your training yesterday?”
I wince. “I don’t remember most of it. Was it really that bad?”
“Never mind that, because secondly:I desperately,immediatelyneed to know what you were doing last night.”
I swallow a groan. “I’m guessing the rumors about me and the king have already reached you.”
“They’ve reachedeveryone, I’m fairly certain.” She keeps one arm locked around mine and marches me toward the palace, her brow furrowed in contemplation. I can tell she’sattempting to approach the subject delicately—a rarity from her.
“So it’s true?” she asks. “You spent the night in his room?”
“Only because he refused to let me leave.”
She cuts her eyes toward me, alarmed.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds, he was just…protecting me.”
