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“Do you know when Magnus will be back?” Lucia asked.
“Didn’t he tell you?”
“No.”
“I was under the impression that your brother shared everything with you.”
Lucia pressed her lips together, choosing not to answer. There was a time when this would have been true. Lately, however . . .
The thought that she’d lost her brother’s confidence suddenly pained her, an ache she felt deep in her heart.
“To answer your question,” Cleo said, “I don’t know when he will be back. I can only hope it will be soon.”
“Do you miss him?”
Cleo’s smile held. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Lucia regarded the girl for a moment before she spoke again. “Who would have thought that two people so very different would find love in the midst of this landscape of conflict.”
Cleo’s gaze was continually moving, over Lucia, over their surroundings. She was alert, this princess. And Lucia sensed there was much more behind those innocent-looking eyes than anyone might believe.
“Who indeed? You’re very lucky to have grown up with an older brother like Magnus.”
“Yes. Just as you’re lucky to get the chance to spend the rest of your life by his side.”
“Indeed.”
Lucia watched her carefully, searching for any sign of deception. Was this true? Was Cleo actually happily in love with Magnus and he with her?
Impossible.
“He can be difficult,” Lucia warned. “Moody. Temperamental. Argumentative.”
“Who isn’t, at times?”
“He’s very forgiving, though.” Lucia arched a brow. “After all, he forgave you your unfortunate and shameful loss of chastity to Lord Aron Lagaris, didn’t he?”
Cleo blinked, the only sign that her words had come as an unexpected slap. Lucia took a measure of joy from that, but knew it was petty.
During Magnus’s wedding tour absence, the king had filled Lucia in on many interesting facts. Everything she missed while she’d been asleep.
The princess’s lips thinned. “As you said, I’m very lucky.”
“I’m sorry for stating this so bluntly, but as you know, servants talk.” No reason to let Cleo know the king had said anything. Servants were always easiest to blame for everything.
“Yes.” A fresh smile now snaked slowly across Cleo’s face. “I’ve heard things too. About you.”
“Oh? Such as?”
“I’m sure it’s a lie. However, unlike some people, I prefer to make my own judgments, not have my head so easily filled with the gossip of servants.”
Lucia bristled at the sly insult. “What have you heard?”
Cleo moved closer as if ready to speak in quiet confidence. “I heard that you and Magnus had an unsavory relationship before coming here to Auranos. That you’re in love with your own brother.”
Lucia’s mouth fell open. “That’s not true!”
“Of course not. As I said, I make my own judgments. But, despite the distasteful and unnatural leanings of such an attraction on your part, I would understand it. Magnus is very handsome. Don’t you think?” A mocking smile curved the edge of the girl’s mouth, as if she knew she was getting under Lucia’s skin and pushing the boundaries of her patience.
