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Beside me, the prince adjusted how he sat in his chair, and his knee bumped me. I made a move to put more distance between us, but his large palm settled on my thigh, spanning the width of it.
My heart rate picked up when he didn’t remove it, but his fidgeting calmed, as though touching me had some soothing effect on him, which was bizarre, but perhaps having hispropertywithin reach was calming since he was definitely a male who didn’t like to share his things.
Heart still hammering, I tried to pretend I wasn’t affected by the weight of his hand as servants appeared, bustling around the table. They served the first course—a delicate salad of greens, berries, and a tart dressing.
“Did you find the extra training helpful today, Lady Seary?” Georgyanna asked from down the table. She fluttered her hand, admiring the gleaming gems on her bracelet. “It looked like you needed it. Hopefully it was enlightening?” she asked with mock sincerity.
One of the males coughed, and another snickered at the Kroravee female.
Warmth bloomed across my chest since I’d struggled repeatedly that afternoon when trying to better control my fire element. I’d nearly burned Matron Olsander at one point, never mind the mat from the other day, but the tutor was quick on her feet despite her rotund figure. Of course, my training session hadn’t stayed private, so everyone had witnessed my fumble.
Forcing my chin up, I replied lightly, “Indeed I did. I would offer to light the candles on this beautiful table, but I’d worry that I’d start the napkins on fire.” I smiled sweetly at her and picked up my champagne flute.
The crown prince snorted, and Nuwin and a few of the other males outright laughed, not even trying to hide their amusement at my self-deprecating humor.
Georgyanna’s lips thinned, and her eyes shot daggers my way.
I grinned, flashing my teeth, despite the fact that my heart was still beating a million times a minute and not just from the prince’s claiming touch. Menace practically dripped from Georgyanna. But I wouldn’t for a second let her think that my late blooming meant I was going to turn belly-up.
Glaring at me one last time, Georgyanna angled herself in her seat, giving me her back and slightly flexed wings as she laid a hand on the male’s forearm beside her.
Trying to calm my racing heart, I took a deep breath just as Beatrice said pleasantly from across the table, “I heard your sister’s joined you here at court.” Her eyes were bright and open, carrying none of the malice that Georgyanna wielded. I cast a glance to where Cailis was watching on the balcony, but my sister had moved into the shadows. I still didn’t think anyone knew she was there.
I took another sip of champagne as I nodded. “She has. She arrived a few days ago.”
“Does she possess multiple affinities too?” Meegana asked as Georgyanna fell into conversation with all of the males surrounding her. I could practically feel the Kroravee female’s manipulation affinity rising and wondered if that was how Georgyanna conversed with all fae—trying to bend their will to her own.
Gritting my teeth, I forced my attention away from her. Replying as lightly as I could to Meegana, I said, “She doesn’t. Cailis only has one affinity. Truth.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened in delight. “How magnificent! I bet that affinity’s come in handy a time or two.”
My lips spread in a genuine smile as the two females and I quickly fell into easy conversation, sharing where we’d grown up, gone to school, and tidbits about our family. When it came to my turn to share details about my parents and siblings, I glossed over them, not revealing that the male at my side had ended their lives prematurely.
Prince Norivun tensed when I spoke of them, but when I didn’t cast him in a scathing light, the long fingers of his free hand, wrapped tightly around his drink, loosened. He even gave my thigh a small squeeze with his concealed hand, as though thanking me for not damning him for the entire realm to hear. I had to stop myself from jumping against that intimate touch.
The dinner carried on in relative peace for over two hours as dish after dish of succulent meats and an abundance of sides were served. Everyone drank, laughed, ate, and enjoyed one another’s company for the most part, and nobody commented that I ate more food than half of the males in attendance, but such was needed for what was being demanded of me of late.
When the time came for each female to be whisked away by their date, I was more than a little tipsy after enjoying three flutes of champagne.
“Are you going to be able to walk for what I have planned tonight, or shall I carry you?” the prince whispered into my ear when he pulled my chair back.
I frowned, a fuzzy part of my mind telling me that there’d been another time when I’d had too much to drink around him, and perhaps less-than-desirable acts had taken place. Or had that been a dream?
“I can walk.” I stood from my chair, and even though the damned floor swayed, I didn’t fall.
He chuckled. “If you say so.”
The other three females all cast envious glances toward the crown prince as he guided me away. Georgyanna was on a date with Michas Crimsonale, Beatrice with Nuwin, and Meegana with a male I hadn’t met yet. It was crazy to think that this stupid Trial required me to date all of the males here.
I made a sound of disgust as the prince opened the balcony door for me, then my heart jumped into my throat when I remembered my sister had been hiding out here.
But she wasn’t there when we stepped outside.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
Flustered, I ran a hand through my hair and tried to calm my breathing. “Yes, I was just, um, thinking about this Trial and all of the males I have to date.”
His shoulders tensed.
