There shouldn’t be anything wrong with Caspien holding hands with his betrothed, but I feel like we’ve been caught cheating. Cillian sits straight as an oak tree next to me. I’m not sure he’s even breathing. When I steal a glance in his direction, he’s flexing and fisting his hands in his lap.
“What could you possibly be implying, Aiden?” Caspien muses from next to me.
I must have missed something while distracted.
The prince of Varethiel has finally moved his attention to Caspien, his eyes showing little emotion. “I’m simply asking the new princess if she feels safe at your castle. Nova was under your protection when she was attacked, no? We wouldn’t want Nissahurtas well…” He cocks his head to the side, a brow raised.
The jab may have been sent towards the Vaylor family, but I feel like it struck me. Throwing my sister’s death in their faces is one thing, but this seems like there’s an underlying message.
Is Aiden gloating? Could he really be so bold as to kill my sister and then imply they can’t keep me safe? Does he think he covered it up so well that he isn’t suspected? Or does he know they suspect him but feels untouchable?
An unusually quiet Isolde stands from across the table, blatantly ignoring the tension that has settled across the room. “Princess, the council has much to discuss and work out. Let us leave them to it. I will escort you on a tour to see the rest of your new kingdom.” She gestures a hand towards the door.
Caspien unlaces our fingers, pulling back, but it’s Cillian whom I glance towards. His lips are thinned into a tight line. He’s clearly not pleased with this plan.
As I stand, Aiden rises with me. “I think that’s an excellent idea,” he says. “But first I wanted a moment alone with the princess to get betteracquainted.” He purrs the last word. “In case we don’t get time after our meetings. Allow me to escort you to the door.”
He’s stepping away from the scarred table before I can form an answer.
Cillian shoots up from his chair. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” he says, his voice hard as he looks across at Niko. “The princess is safer here.”
The pressure in my chest is still heavy, but it eases a little knowing Cillian isn’t intimidated by Aiden. Isolde is frozen across the table, the color drained from her face. For the first time, the queen looks unsure of what to do.
Caspien laughs, eyeing his brother and mother. “I have no doubt Nissa is safe within our kingdoms, right, Aiden?” Amusement envelopes each word.
A challenge? Is he baiting Varethiel’s prince—with me?
But Aiden isn’t listening to Caspien, he’s watching Cillian. “I have nothing but her best interest in mind,” Aiden says, the edge missing from his tone.
Before Cillian can object, I’m on my feet and making my way to the door. Aiden joins me in the corridor and offers me his arm. I don’t dare look back at Cillian. This may be my best chance for answers.
When Isolde steps behind us with Niko, Aiden turns on her. “As I’ve clearly stated, I would like a private moment with the princess. Do not make me repeat myself.”
Niko takes a step towards us, his hand again poised over his weapon. Despite the marks on his collarbone and up his neck, evidence of his extensive Guardian training, I’m unsure who would win if this came to blows. I’m glad I’ve left Cillian safelybehind in the council room. Aiden towers over us all and has a lethal air about him that I don’t think I’m imagining.
To my surprise, Isolde places a hand on Niko’s arm and tells him to let us speak. She accompanies this with a warning look at Aiden that I can’t decipher. Is Isolde protecting me? With a slight bow, the head of our security backs away with her, but Niko makes it clear he won’t be far behind.
I look up at Aiden through my eyelashes and offer a shy smile, my voice as charming as I can manage. “Did you know my sister well?”
“Don’t do that,” he says with an annoyed glance behind him.
“Don’t do what?” I blurt, my demure facade already slipping.
“You can be yourself with me. None of that docile bullshit they are inevitably pushing on you.”
I blink at his words, “I—um, okay... Did you know my sister?” I say in my own voice.
“Yes, I met that shell of a princess a few times before?—”
I rear back at the rudeness. Obviously, there is no love lost there, supporting what I read in Nova’s notebook.
“There’s no time for this.” He shakes his head slightly. “I will always do what’s best formykingdom, and I have no doubt this offer will cause all sorts of trouble for me, but...” He closes his eyes for a heartbeat and opens them with a deep breath, the silver color shining brighter than before. “If you ever feel like you’re in danger, you’re welcome to come here. There are instructions in the pocket of your cape on how to get back here without the Vaylor family being able to detect your movements.”
I swallow thickly and look back at a closely watching Niko, who should be jumping into action any moment.
Aiden follows my gaze. “They can’t hear us. Hazel’s shielding spell made sure of it.”
I stare at him in confusion. “She is a witch,” he hitches his eyebrows like I’m slow. “All they hear right now is meoffering you congratulations on being the Daughter of Gaia and expressing sympathy about your sister.”
