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I huffed a surprised laugh. "I think you are the one who doesn't fully understand the nature of people or politics, if you believe you'll never have to make nice and sugarcoat things once you end up bonded to a noblewoman who moves in the same circles as the royal family. I fear your pointed humor might get you in trouble then." I doubted it, really. The royals lived for that kind of thing. But I wasn’t going to tell him that.
His smile this time was fleeting, but real, and it transformed his frosty features. "Perhaps I play the game too well, my dear, and was simply testing your response."
I grinned. "Now I think that was the brutal truth."
He shrugged. "Perhaps. Bach says that from what you have conveyed, the Prize seems to be someone with a good heart and a sense of fairness, and he believes the royals are looking out for the wellbeing of the competitors. He has encouraged us all to be open and honest with you, should you have questions." He rolled his eyes. "And Fife and Mirri are enamored with you. It's too bad you aren't the Prize, miss Rina. I'm sure that would make my teammates' day, with how they've all gone on and on about their interactions with you."
I almost choked. I was surprised the queen's spell let him say that, even in jest. But it slipped through somehow. Maybe because he didn't fully believe his own words. I coughed lightly and made a face as if his statement was utterly ridiculous. "Now you're being a flatterer. And don't think I didn't notice how you don't include yourself in singing the praises of the queen’s annoying sharp ear."
His dark eyes skimmed over me once more, and I found myself standing up straighter, wanting to find approval in that dark gaze. "You seem refreshingly down to earth for someone who has to work around the court and a bunch of stuffy highborn nobles all day," he said, sounding every bit like a stuffy highborn himself. "But I'm not a sentimental idiot. I know you're here to spy, not make friends or cozen up to the competitors who might one day win the tournament." He arched one silver brow. "What did you want to know today, little sharp ear?"
I had enjoyed getting to know the other men from Raven team. But Adder made it sound so cold and calculated, like I was only being friendly to get them to let their guard down and give me information. Again, it fit my fake image. I was playing a part. But it still stung.
I tried not to let my hurt show. "I wanted to know how things are going here, with the orphanage and this challenge. And I wanted to see what you were like. For my employer, but also on behalf of the Prize. She wants to know about the men who are vying for a place at her side." Seeing the retort forming on his lips, I hurried to add to that statement before he could speak. "And yes, if she wanted to know her mates, maybe she shouldn't have chosen this method of finding partners. But she wasn't given much choice in the matter. It's difficult—not to mention hazardous to one's health—to say no to the queen when she sets her mind to something. And she is adamant that the tournament is the best way to help the lady find her mates. And amuse the royals and the entire capital city at the same time."
He snorted at that but didn't comment further on my supposed employer and her motives. "I think this challenge is going well," he said as we resumed walking, headed for the little hedge maze in the back garden, where I could hear joyous little shrieks as the children who lived here chased each other through the shrubbery. "I spent some time in an orphanage when I was younger," he said softly, his words a bit stilted, as if he was extremely uncomfortable talking about it. "It wasn't as nice as this. And it certainly didn't have a Mr. Warbles to look out for us." He shrugged again, as if dismissing it all as unimportant, when it must have felt anything but. "I'm glad to help here, tournament or no. This place should be an example to others of its kind. I've encouraged the director to ask the royal advisors for permission to form some sort of outreach with other orphanages in other cities throughout Elfhaven. It would mean so much to so many children if they could experience the same level of care and joy as the children here."
My heart melted a little at the way this sharp-edged, stoic highborn allowed me a peek at his mushy insides. "That's a wonderful idea," I said honestly. "I will make sure to pass that on to royal ears."
He looked away, and I thought I saw the faintest hint of pink coloring the tips of his tall, pointed ears. "Well, we'll see. It's probably just wishful thinking." He probably assumed I was just telling him what he wanted to hear so he’d continue opening up to me. But I didn’t know how to reassure him that wasn’t the case.
Adder cleared his throat and gestured at the kids playing in the maze, most of them just tall enough that we could see the tops of little heads bobbing about as they ran and hid among the bushes. "It won't be long before winter is here, and I know orphanages are always in need of extra clothing and food. And maybe some little things to keep the kids occupied when they're shut inside all day because of the cold. We've already started organizing the charity drive. That's where the others are now. They're handing out flyers and telling people about the event. We'll be collecting things here and going door-to-door at the end of the week."
I grinned at him. "So, you came up with this idea and the rest of your teammates just went along with the extra work, even after you've already done your assigned tasks and fulfilled your obligation here for the tournament. And they allowed you to boss them around and take the lead?" It would have been a legitimate problem for some of the other teams, especially those who were only interested in doing the bare minimum. Or teams with leaders who didn't know how to follow.
Adder scoffed. "Were you expecting a team of uptight nobles who think they're above doing work or putting in actual effort? Did you honestly speak with Bach and conclude that he's the type who would throw a hissy fit if he wasn't in charge every single minute of every single day?"
I shrugged. "You never know. I think someone recently accused me and my employer of not knowing how people operate or how awful the world can be. I wouldn't want to sound naïve."
He shook his head. "I see," he drawled, looking me over again in that calculating way of his. "Oh, I see now why the others were so taken with you." He grinned, fully revealing those sharp viper fangs. "You're perfectly sarcastic and ridiculous under all that friendly gossip nonsense, aren't you?"
I grinned. "You've found me out."
He bent closer to whisper in my ear. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." Then the tall, sharp-edged highborn whirled away from me and crouched, just in time to catch the little girl who had just launched herself at him from the side.
His reflexes were startling, but the little girl seemed to know that already, because she clearly expected him to catch her, and her shrieks were ones of pure delight as he spun her about overhead before setting her on her feet again. "Lord Adder!" she said, her little voice breathless. "Lord Adder, come chase us!"
She darted away into the maze where a flock of other children of various ages waited with sparkling eyes and eager anticipation. Adder turned to me and bowed. "I apologize, mistress, but I'm afraid I have an urgent appointment. I must say goodbye."
I laughed and waved him away. "It was nice to meet you, Lord Adder. Best of luck on your hunt."
He growled as he leapt over the hedge, fangs bared and hands up with his fingers curled like the claws of some stalking beast, sending the children scattering with delighted squeals. I walked away, shaking my head. Raven team was one surprise after another.
And I would never admit it where anyone could accuse me of unfairness, but…moonbeams and fairy dust, I really wanted them to win.
Chapter 20
The week of the charity challenge drew to a close, and it looked like every team would be successful. Some proved more valuable to their charity than others, but all of them had at least completed their assigned tasks. I was proud of myself for crafting a challenge that would tell me so much about the men competing for a place at my side while also helping so many people in need. It was a bright spot of success in all this madness.
Or so I thought.
I was eating breakfast with Amaryllis in her suite at the palace when a knock at the door interrupted our repast. The servant bowed low when I opened the door. "The king and queen request your presence in their private office, Lady Rina. And Princess Amaryllis as well." He straightened and his soft brown eyes met mine, polite and proper, yet still conveying the seriousness of his errand. "They advised it is an urgent matter, my lady."
"Thank you," I said with a nod. "We'll be there shortly."
Once the door was closed, I turned to meet Amaryllis's gaze as we both spoke at the same time. "The tournament."
It had to be something to do with the Game of Hearts. If they were asking for me, it could only be about the tournament or something to do with Larkwood, and they wouldn't call for Amaryllis if it was a steward issue.
