‘That is what Jonas told me. Normally, it would be a parent. It’s only necessary for the bride, not for the groom. That isn’t a problem, is it?’ she asks. ‘You are the gifted. He should be honoured to speak to you again.’
The way she says it, as though she genuinely believes it is the truth, only shows how naïve she remains, despite everything.
Gods know, if Kay and Jonas weren’t already married, Korvane would probably turn me away just on principle.
‘No, that’s not a problem,’ I lie, my stomach twisting.
Then again, maybe this is good. It’s a chance to look him in the eye. Hold his gaze. Show him that he and his lying son haven’t broken me, even if that was his plan.
Drawing in a long breath, I look around for the monarch, only for my eyes to fall on a far more welcome face.
‘She got you to wear blue, too?’ I say as I hug Benny.
‘What can I say? You Kultavaris women can be persuasive.’ He grins. ‘You ready for this?’
‘Presenting her to Korvane?’ I ask. ‘It can’t be any worse than facing a jötunn, can it?’ I question, expecting him to offer at least a half-laugh at my joke, but instead his face is stony.
‘Honey, Korvane’s not here,’ he says grimly. ‘It won’t be him you’re presenting your sister to.’
‘Not Korvane? Then who?’ But I know the answer before the words have even left my lips.
A sweeping headiness wafts through me.
‘No. Please, Gods, no,’ I groan, and as Benny’s gaze shifts, my eyes follow.
There, standing at the end of the ballroom, drink in his hand, redhead on his arm, is Kyor.
Fuck.
Whether he noticed my arrival or not, I cannot say, but now, as I look at him, his eyes lock on mine with an intensity raw enough to stop my heart from beating. Without so much as a single word to the woman at his side, he slips his arm out of hers and strides across the room to me.
‘Gifted,’ he says. ‘I hear your family has reason to celebrate tonight.’ The clipped tone of his voice makes it sound as if he’s talking to any member of the court. A stranger. Not someone who shared his bed. Not someone who risked her life diving into an abyss for him.
Beside me, I feel tension radiating from Benny. If this were a private situation, I don’t doubt my friend would have more than one choice word for Kyor. But this isn’t a private situation. It’s very public, and to the public, he is the prince and I am the gifted. I am also the Queenkiller’s daughter.
That is all we are to one another, all I am to him. A meaningless moment for him was everything to me. One that stole my heart. Fool that I was for letting it be taken.
‘You’re right, we do,’ I reply eventually. ‘And we’ve got beautiful weather for it too.’ My eyes are unblinking as a cold smile graces my expression. ‘Clear blue skies. Not a cloud in sight. I thought after the Retterheld the storm might linger, but apparently not.’
Something flickers across his face, almost too fast for me to catch, and I’m tempted to look at Benny, to see if it was just my imagination, but I refuse to be the first to look away.
‘My father wished for me to be the one to make the announcement,’ he says, his voice a fraction quieter.
‘And whatever your father wants, he must surely get,’ I reply, that polite smile of mine still fixed in place.
This time there’s no denying the way his jaw locks.
‘Rose, please—’ He’s shifting as if he’s going to move closer when Benny speaks.
‘Your Royal Highness, I believe you have a marriage to announce?’ he says.
Kyor’s eyes flicker to Benny, as if he only just realised he’s there. His forehead furrows before he glances back at me.
‘Yes, yes, I do,’ he agrees before striding away and plucking a glass of champagne from a waiter.
‘Sorry for interrupting,’ Benny whispers to me, ‘but I figured this wasn’t the best place for you to have one of your little turns. Suffocate the prince and all that.’
I wince. ‘Yes, you’re right. Thanks.’ And he is. Who knows how my magic would have flared up if Kyor had been near me for much longer.
