Page 90 of Only Flames Remain

“I will remain standing as long as I can. There are watchful eyes from all over the kingdom at court tonight. I will not appear weak before these vultures. You’d be advised not to undermine me.”

“I didn’t—” But one glance at Emrys and the words died on my tongue.

Father was in a ripe mood tonight.

“The girl?” he questioned me with a raised brow, irritation plain on his face.

“She is merely a historian. An apprentice to the librarian. She was sent from Myros, but merely to study. It was my mistake.” I gave Father a tight smile, praying to the nine gods that he wouldn’t see through my façade.

“It’s just as well.” He sighed, uncomfortably shifting his weight from one foot to another. “It’s time we focus on the true matter at hand: sealing the alliance with Ravenscar. I expect both of you to join the council meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the treaty.”

I nodded in assent. “And Valerian?”

He always managed to escape his civic duties. I supposed his false reputation of being good-for-nothing didn’t help.

“If Valerian chooses to join, so be it. I am tired of chasing that boy around the castle, wishing he would take his duties seriously like my eldest sons.” An expression of pride washed over his face as he gazed from Emrys to me.

“Anyone in particular I should be speaking with tonight?” I asked, grabbing a crystal flute filled with amber liquid off the silver tray of a waiter as they passed by.

Emrys raised his brow at me but said nothing. If I was going to get through this…I needed a drink.

“Besides Eldrin, the King of Ravenscar? I suppose you should become acquainted with Princess Morwenna. Ask her to dance. Though she does seem stiff and prim, if you ask me.” He nudged Emrys, who laughed out of duty. “There are two acolytes sent from the Midnight Citadel. A representative here from the Floating Isles, as well as the commander from Castle Orwynn in Faedwyn.”

That piqued my interest. “Any word on the missing weapons shipment I was supposed to receive weeks past? I waited on the docks in Scaldrithor only for them to never arrive,” I said dryly.

King Mavros waved his hand. “Something about rough seas in the Faetide. Their ships aren’t built for those vicious waters. I am sure you will get to the bottom of it this week while she is here.”

“She?” I choked on my drink in surprise.

“Yes, she. A fine commander, if you ask me. Might be a good match for our Rensford, a potential for another alliance, even,” King Mavros replied.

“You know as well as we do that Faedwyn has resisted an alliance with any of its neighboring kingdoms. It’s a miracle we even got them to agree to weapons shipments if it weren’t for the egregious amount of coin we are willing to pay them,” Emrys reminded him.

Father gave Emrys a reassuring squeeze. “Perhaps it is my middle child who will finally change their mind.”

I could toast to that. Finally put that mouth of his to good use.

Emrys’s glare only further bolstered the grin that had spread across my face.

“Morwenna is looking beautiful tonight,” Emrys interjected, changing the subject. “You should ask your future bride to honor you with a dance.”

I scowled at him, thankful that my expression was mostly hidden behind my mask.

King Mavros’s eyes sparked as his gaze fell on me. “A fine idea.”

There would be no getting out of it then.

I scanned the ballroom for Princess Morwenna and found her standing by one of the drink tables with her father. Her hair fell in beautiful silken threads down her back, her onyx gown accentuating her pale skin. She might be beautiful, but she was the absolute farthest thing from my mind at the moment.

How could I even think about taking her hand in marriage to secure the alliance when mere hours ago Enora revealed to me that Aveline was my fated?

I already knew what my father would say.

That not only was my mate being human a sign of weakness, but that no matter the circumstances I could never take her as my queen. She offered nothing to our kingdom. No alliance, no power, no coin.

He would tell me to marry Princess Morwenna and keep Aveline as a consort.

It was exactly what he had done with my mother, after all.