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“Officialletters with political demands are hardly the token of friendship you think they are,” she refuted.
“At least I made the effort.” I despised the defensive tone that rang out around us.
“I would not call that making an effort,” she murmured, the words almost eclipsed behind a gusty sigh. “I don’t wish to argue.”
She turned back to the trio, her spine straightening further as she composed herself.
“Your Highness,” she began. “Ris. My intended would be disappointed if I didn’t take this opportunity to formally invite you to our wedding ceremony at the end of the year.”
“Oh, yes.” Yogi perked up, nodding quickly. “I received that invitation a few months ago. I apologize—I believe it got buried in a pile of official documents and never made it to Ris’ desk.”
“Treacherous,” I commented. “You can never find anything you need in those piles.”
“Indeed,” Yogi agreed, glancing at her mates for confirmation. “But we would be happy to attend.”
“Good.” Olympia breathed a relieved sigh. “Cryssa would be ecstatic to hear that. She’s been obsessing over the guest list for months.”
That name set my teeth on edge.
Cryssa Angelwaithe was an impressive specimen. News of her appointment to the Vetri High Council had made waves in Agnivale a few years ago. Not only was she the youngest person to ever assume the position, but she was also incredibly intelligent with an advanced degree in Adrenal Science.
With an academic background like that, I’d expected someone mousy, perhaps with a stooped stature or debilitating stutter. Cryssa had neither. In fact, the engagement photos in the local papers had been nothing short of magnificent.
I’d punched a hole through it.
“Have the three of you decided on a date yet?” Olympia asked. “Not that there’s any rush at all—I’m simply curious.”
“No,” Ris said, her voice a little wistful. “Not everyone is fully on board with our nest. We have people to convince first before going through with anything official.”
“Who iseveryone?” I asked, earning another exasperated glare from Olympia.
“If Ris wanted to share, she would have,” Olympia murmured under her breath.
“That’s all right,” Ris allayed Olympia’s concerns before I could respond. “We’re among allies here, and I am happy to share what I can.”
She adjusted her skirts, taking time to measure her words.
“Maman is over the moon,” she said. “She’s wanted me to find a mate for quite some time now. Her greatest hobby is looking for potential matches for her children and our friends.”
“But you’re still very young. You don’tneeda mate.” I replied with a frown, and Olympia thwacked me on the thigh to shut me up.
“I am,” Ris replied with a nod. “But my term as queen is fast approaching, and Maman wants to ensure I have ample time to find someone I love, have a litter and care for them before life becomes too hectic and complicated.”
“Ah,” Olympia nodded. “Aeryn has always been very wise.”
“But Ris’ love life is her own affair,” I insisted. “Not her mother’s or anyone else’s to poke their noses into.”
Olympia’s glare was long-suffering.
“You’re both right,” Ris said with a little laugh. “My mother is very wise, but she’s also very nosy. She had more than a handful of suitors short-listed by the time I was twenty-one. I rejected them all because I simply wasn’t ready.”
She shared a small smile with her mates. “And then these two came back from the borders after being away for years and we just… Clicked. It wasn’t something I expected, or even wanted at the time, but… Here we all are.”
Yogi placed herself on the arm of Ris’ chair. Her fingers curled over Ris’ bare shoulder, and Ris pressed her cheek into her touch. As moments passed in their presence, it was becoming clear that Yogi was somewhat of a conduit between Ris and Sage. She had a peaceable aura—a natural flow of energy that seemed to create an infinite loop between the trio.
I’d been in the presence of nests before, but not many had two Alphas. And none of them had been royalty. It was interesting to see how their energy ebbed and flowed in the room. Sage and Yogi’s pheromones didn’t oppose one another, but they didn’t meld either. They simply surrounded Ris in a protective bubble, masking the princess’s own sweeter omega scent.
“So,” I said, watching from the corner of my eye as Olympia tensed up again at the sound of my voice. “If it isn’t your mother who’s objecting to the match, would it be our dear king who’s unhappy?”
