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While the buzz continues in the court, Zander leans over to whisper in my ear, “How was your history lesson this morning?” It’s a decidedly intimate move, his breath grazing my skin.
I know it’s for the sake of a show in front of these people, and yet my pulse stirs at the low timbre of his voice and his proximity. The danger of having him so close to me. I’m safe, though. I am a drink box full of cyanide to him. To everyone here. “Educational, though I have many more questions.”
“Why am I not surprised?” he says dryly, seemingly unaware of my inner turmoil. Then again, I’ve always been good at hiding it.
“How was your morning? Any more guests?”
His lips twitch. “I told you there wouldn’t be for some time.”
I silently chastise myself. I didn’t mean to bring that up again, but my thoughts are scattered, and it was the first one I grasped onto. “What am I doing here? I’m not the queen.”
“No, you are not.” His shrewd gaze rolls over the court’s attendants, still whispering as they watch and wait. “But having you seated on the throne while the Ybarisans are presented to me for questioning and punishment may help our cause.”
“Will they be executed when you’re done?”
“Eventually. Yes.”
An image of pyres flashes in my mind, and my stomach clenches.
He smirks. “I forgot. A queen who doesn’t believe in punishing criminals.”
“Punishing is one thing. Executing is … I don’t know how you can do it.”
“I don’t. I have henchmen for that.”
“Still, you give the command.” Even with Sofie as my own henchwoman, her blade against Tony’s neck, I couldn’t give the order. I’d make a terrible queen in this world.
“We will see what information we can pry out of them first. Find out what they’ve been doing in my lands. Who knows, they might not even survive questioning to make it to an execution.”
“That brings me great comfort,” I say with sarcasm. “I don’t need to do or say anything, right?”
His breath skates across my cheek as he leans in close and whispers, “Besides look especially hateful and not let on that you have no idea who they are? No. It’s best you remain silent.”
“I can handle that.”
“Your mood hasn’t improved much since this morning.”
I sigh, hoping it releases some of this building tension.
“That is quite the choice of attire.” His eyes flicker downward at my dress. “Were you planning on traveling to the mountains of Skatrana today?” There’s a teasing lilt to his tone that is a reprieve to talk of execution.
“Is it cold there?”
“Bitterly so, I’ve heard.”
“Then, yes. Please. Take me there. Actually, I was on my way to my room to set fire to this thing when the guards called for me, so thank you for ruining my plans.”
His chuckle is dark. “I will gladly burn it for you.”
“With me still in it?” I throw back. How does his affinity to Malachi’s element work? Could he do that? Set fire to someone’s clothes with a thought?
“Don’t be silly. You’d remove it for me first.” His eyes flash to mine, his words painting an intimate image that makes me blush. “They’re watching our every move,” he whispers in my ear, his thumb stroking across knuckle in a slow drag, followed by another. “You need to relax.”
“I’m trying. It’s just … a lot.” And this is all part of the performance. He’s intentionally flirting with me, saying things to make my cheeks redden and stir my blood, because that’s how people who are enamored with each other might act. That’s how Princess Romeria and Zander acted, by all accounts—foolishly in love. I shouldn’t be shocked by it, and yet my pulse is racing.
Zander is dangerously good at this game.
I take a calming breath as I glance around. I focus on Atticus, exchanging words with Boaz. “Your brother looks so much like Annika.”
