Valen nodded and grabbed the replica necklace. “Back to practicing, then.”
That hadn’t been what I’d meant, but instead of annoyance, I felt a strange fondness.
Was this what my mother had felt for Tullus once upon a time? Valen seemed so different from my father. Valen was a two-faced scoundrel plotting to steal the princess’s treasure, but he’d hinted— No, he’d triednotto hint that he was stealing it to disgrace her so she couldn’t launch a coup and invade Earth. Was he acting on his own or on behalf of the queen? Either way, he was acting for the good of others. He could be hard and cold, but he was noble and caring, too.
God and Goddess, I had it bad, didn’t I? Maybe I was a fool making the exact same mistake as my mother. I just had to hope my own romance with a fey man would end better than hers had.
Chapter 24
Valen
“There are an awful lot of guards here,” Emmeline said.
It was the night before the Feast of Queen Diamanda, which meant the traditional lunar lights display. I’d received invitations to five different viewing parties but had accepted the one from Symphorosa Pintaurius. Hosted high in one of the city’s towers, it would have not only a magnificent view but an exclusive guest list. I just hadn’t guessed how exclusive.
“Palace guards,” I said. “A member of the royal family must be attending.”
Her grip on my arm tightened. “The princess?”
“I believe—”
“Sir Valen! How wonderful to see you.”
Symphorosa herself approached. She was older than Queen Verena and looked august in a high-collared silver gown with draping sleeves.
I dipped into a low bow and introduced Emmeline.
“I’ve heard all about you, of course.” Her mouth twitched. “My granddaughters practically went into mourning over the news that Sir Valen was off the market.”
“Er...” I said.
“It’s good for them,” Symphorosa said briskly. “They need to concentrate on their duties at the Court. There’s too much focus these days on upward marriages instead of putting in the work to move up yourself. I started off as a lowly scribe, you know, and look at me now.”
“Managing the Crown’s finances so efficiently there’s probably nothing for Queen Verena to do,” I finished for her.
“I can see why the young folk moon over you, Sir Valen.” She gave Emmeline a sly glance. “He’s a charmer, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Emmeline smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “But not quite as charming as he thinks he is.”
Symphorosa cackled and then waved to another person across the room. “I’ll catch up with the two of you later. You both look lovely, by the way.”
My seamstress had painstakingly designed our matching outfits. Emmeline’s dress had voluminous skirts, the top layer of shimmering white parting in the front to reveal a lower layer of inky blue with a pattern of stars. The same pattern decorated the edge of my ornamental cape, my vest and trousers in coordinating colors.
“You do look lovely,” I murmured as I scanned the other guests.
“Not much of a compliment for—” She paused, remembering our surroundings. “—someone with my talents.”
“True, but it’s fitting when your looks reflect how lovely you are inside.”
“Symphorosa is right. You are a charmer.”
But she blushed as she said it, sending a surge of triumph through me. I’d kissed her every day since the hunt, each time better than the last. The taste of her was sweeter than any honey, a heady mix of her surrender and my own undeniable desire. Tonight, as we viewed the lunar lights, it would be even better.
My excitement plummeted when I spotted Drudon mingling near the windows. I couldn’t repress my sigh quickly enough.
“He’s here, isn’t he?” Emmeline asked.
Drudon had stalked us relentlessly over the past few days. He’d lurked in the back of the Celestial Poetry Competition. (Thank the stars he hadn’t tried to recite anything.) He’d helped Aristoph win the Rumilor Crater Sailing Regatta. Fortunately, we’d escaped his presence at yesterday’s dinner party hosted by Amatien and Ishaq, who’d wanted to hear all about the failed hunt and Aristoph shooting himself in the foot. But it seemed like our good luck couldn’t last.
