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I glanced away, not wanting to forgive her so quickly, even though I instinctively felt the urge to. Folding my arms over my chest, I felt almost…hurt.
“I can’t believe you don’t like her,” was all I could think to say. “I thought you two were actually becoming friends. Are you only faking it, then, to help me get information about her? That is not my wish.” I shook my head adamantly. “She believes she’s your friend. I don’t want you lying to or deceiving her.”
“No,” she rushed to say, grasping my arm. “I s
wear, I’m not deceiving her. Urban, please.” She tightened her grip emphatically. “I do like her. Honestly. In fact, she may be my favorite person here in Donnelly.”
I glanced at her, frowning. “Then why did you say all that shit about her?”
She sighed and threw her hands in the air. “For you, you idiot.”
I pulled back, confused. “For me?”
“Yes, I lied about her and called her the worst possible things I could think up for your benefit. I thought… I don’t know. You stay in your room all day and don’t go out. You don’t eat as you once did. You don’t smile anymore. I thought that maybe if I described her in an unappealing light you might not feel so bonded to her or…or something. I hoped it would assure you life could be better without her. I was trying to give you a reason not to feel so miserable without her anymore.”
I blinked at her. When she only winced, I sighed. “That is about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You thought that talking shit about my one true love would make me like her less? Really? It’s like you were never mated yourself.”
“Hey!” she muttered on a scowl. “I remember exactly how enamored the mark made me toward Jazon. I just… You act so coolly and distant when she’s around. I hoped maybe it was different for you. Less strong...or something.”
“Trust me,” I assured her on a sniff. “It’s not less strong. I still feel the bond with every fiber of my being.”
Allera shook her head, her expression falling into gloom. “Then how do you act as if she isn’t even there every evening at royal mealtime?”
“I stab myself repeatedly in the thigh with my dinner fork.”
She blinked. “Truly?”
I laughed and shook my head. “No. Not truly.”
With a gasp, Allera smacked my arm. “Urban! I actually believed you.”
Still grinning, I shook my head. “But I do hold my breath a lot. For some reason, holding my breath helps.”
“Holding your breath?” She studied me a moment before shaking her head. “Well, whatever gets the job done, just keep it up. It’s working.”
I shook my head and sighed. “But for how long?”
“For however long it takes.” She hooked her arm through mine and faced us toward the door. “Now, let us depart, dear brother. We have a royal meal to attend, one you’ll actually eat tonight.”
Grumbling under my breath, I escorted her out the door. All the while, I wondered how long I really would have to keep the rouse up. We were eight days in now, and it already felt like more than I could stand.
I honestly wasn’t sure if I had the constitution to endure this much longer.
Chapter 13
Vienne
After Caulder declared that Brentley and Allera’s wedding would take place in four days’ time, the kingdom turned to planning the royal affair.
Meanwhile, I grew so heavy and awkward with pregnancy that every time I tried to help, someone would merely usher me to a chair so I could sit out of the way.
It was as humiliating as it was relieving. My ankles were so swollen it actually hurt to stand on them. Yet I craved involvement.
“Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to help?” I nearly begged when the latest person—Allera—shooed me into a big, comfortable settee in the corner of the ballroom, where the reception after the wedding would take place.
“Yes, you can sit there and take a nap for me,” she instructed sternly.
I rolled my eyes. “Take your own nap.” My answer was as moody and insolent as I felt. “I want to do something.”
