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“You know it’s not safe for a woman of your rank to be traveling alone,” the king said. “Although from looking at your face, it seems that you’ve already learned that lesson.”
Riona started to reach up and touch the cut in her cheek, then remembered the raw and broken skin around her wrists. She quickly tucked her hands behind her back. “There was a brawl where I was staying. I was caught in the middle, and that’s when Amaris and Prince Auberon found me. It was an accident, that’s all.”
“I see.” King Domhnall turned to Auberon and cocked his head, examining him as a predator might its prey. “How fortunate it is that you were able to find her so quickly, Your Highness. Perhaps you could teach the men in my royal guard a thing or two about tracking.”
He offered the king a practiced smile, ignoring the implication in his words. “Fortunate indeed, Your Majesty. And a deed that I hope will prove that my empire is worthy of your trust.”
Riona’s gaze shot to him, an almost imperceptible flicker of fear flashing across her face. She said nothing, but he could hear her voice in his head, begging him not to bring up the mines. Begging him not to take her from her home again. And even though he could end the stalemate between Domhnall and Drystan with a few words, he held his tongue. If Riona was willing to spend the rest of her life serving Erduria as its Empress, the least he could do was give her one final day in the city she loved. Besides, he needed to speak to Drystan before making any demands. They could not afford to act rashly.
The king’s attention slid to Amaris. “And why, precisely, did you trust an Erdurian to aid you in your search for Lady Riona?”
She lifted her chin. “Because no one else would.”
Prince Domhnall winced. He took a step forward. “I—”
“When Prince Auberon offered to help me bring her back home, I accepted, and we left without delay. What else was I supposed to do?”
“Let the royal guards do their job,” the king responded, “instead of giving the Erdurians yet another opportunity to place us in their debt.”
“What of fostering a lasting relationship between our countries? What of parting as allies, rather than enemies?” Amaris demanded. “You’ve made no secret of your distrust of the princes, and yet you condemn them when they act out of kindness and compassion!”
“He is acting out of a desire to ingratiate himself with our family,” King Domhnall snarled. He fixed Auberon with a hateful glare, even as he directed his next words to his niece. “Do not allow his charms to fool you, Riona. He cares nothing for our kingdom, nor for you. He is Erdurian, and he will stop at nothing to further his own goals.”
“Considering he and his brother have been advocating for peace since the moment they arrived, he is right to do so,” Riona said, the picture of perfect calm. “I am under no illusion that he did this out of anything but loyalty to the Empire, but seeing as a treaty will save our people from more needless death, how can you continue to deny him? Let this warend,Uncle.”
The king scoffed. “Where Emperor Hyperion is involved, there is no such thing as peace. Prince Auberon, you have my gratitude for bringing her home, but I am afraid that is all you will take with you when you set sail for Erduria tomorrow.”
Riona went still. “Tomorrow?”
King Domhnall stared at Auberon. “Since Prince Drystan has rescinded his bid for my niece’s hand, I see no point in further negotiation. Tonight, at the banquet, I shall announce Lady Riona’s betrothal to Prince Eamon.”
Auberon’s stomach dropped. This wasn’t the end; they still had time. He could go to the guest house and speak with Drystan now, so they could decide how they would force the king’s hand into a peace treaty and betrothal without losing their heads in the process. He’d hoped for more time. Heneededmore time.
“Have any of the documents been signed?” Riona asked. “Is Prince Eamon aware that you intend to promise me to him?”
Her father stepped forward and set a hand on her shoulder. His expression made it clear what he thought about his daughter marrying the Kostori bastard. “Not yet. We were just wrapping up a meeting with the council when we received word that you had returned.” He turned to his brother. “Domhnall, they’ve only just arrived. Perhaps we could give them some time to settle in and recover from their journey before making a fuss over the betrothal. Delaying the announcement by a day won’t change anything.”
Won’t it?Auberon thought, watching the king carefully. Domhnall’s expression was cool and closed-off, betraying no hint of whatever thoughts were racing behind that stony façade. Finally, he gave a single, shallow nod. “Very well. One day.”
Riona let out a relieved breath. She moved gingerly as she dipped into a low curtsy, clearly trying to hide the pain of her injured ribs from her uncle and the others. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Of course, my dear. But I expect no further surprises, do you understand? I’ll not promise Eamon a wife only to find her missing the very next day.”
She smiled. “I understand, Your Majesty.”
Riona straightened, and Auberon fell into step beside her as she led him and Amaris out of the castle’s main building. The second the doors clanged shut behind them, Auberon reached out and lightly brushed the back of his hand against hers. Some of the tension bled out of Riona’s body, and she let the touch linger, her little finger hooking around his.
“One day. That is all the time we have to prepare to confront my uncle about the mines,” Riona whispered, dropping his hand as they slowed to a stop near the entrance of one of the castle’s gardens, well out of earshot of any guards or servants who might pass by. She glanced at Auberon. “Thank you for not bringing them up back there. Since my uncle said nothing about them, I expect he plans to meet with us in private to learn just how much we’ve uncovered about the operation, and what we plan to do with that information.”
Amaris looked uneasy. “Unless he kills us first.”
“As much as he may want to, he cannot afford to kill the future queen, his niece, and the son of the Erdurian Emperor,” Riona responded, not a hint of doubt in her voice. “Even if we weren’t high-ranking members of the court, too many bodies have piled up since the suitors arrived. His best course of action is to make Erduria an ally.”
Auberon nodded. “Let’s pray that he sees it that way, too. He’s made no secret of just how unwilling he is to put old grievances aside for the sake of his people.”
Riona’s expression turned icy as she glanced at the main building. “I will not allow him to condemn our people to more needless death. Speak with your brother about how you wish to conduct the negotiations, and we’ll meet in the morning to discuss it.”
When she turned and started to walk away, Amaris said, “What are you going to do?”
