“Acceptance of a royal appointment is voluntary.”
“At the beginning. But then can someone quit? And is that wise?”
“I defied the king.”
“Yes, my dearest princess, but was that wise?”
Brandese scowled. “Not everything is about taking the safest course.”
“Lord Calex is one of the world’s great thinkers. He considers risks and consequences carefully.”
“He is driven well enough by his passions when it suits him. My backside has occasionally sported the marks to prove it.”
Melsint snickered. “Sit down now and have some more off-world tea. It’s the loveliest brew ever. Wasn’t that nice of Lord Evston to send it and those stunning blooms?”
“He’s trying to placate me. If he really wanted to please me, he wouldn’t let the king keep him there when I want him here.”
Melsint sighed and took a bit of pastry. “You are very like him. Neither of you can stand to not get your own way.”
“You know, I’m glad this has happened.” She stalked into the room and returned with a bag and a pile of clothes. “I’m going. It’s no reflection on you, Mels. You’re wonderful company, but I should never have allowed myself to be caged up here to begin with. He is the king’s man. Not mine. I should have realized it sooner. Also, I had plans before I got so involved with him. I let Evston distract me.”
“You can’t go. It’s much too dangerous. Someone would snatch you up. Even if you weren’t worth a fortune as a ransom, just look at you. You cut off your hair and you’re still prettier than any doll.”
“Don’t get carried away. I’ve always roamed about on my own.”
“In villages near your castle where there were soldiers all around.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know,” Melsint said, sinking her small teeth into her full lower lip. “Only first let me see if I can convince the commander to take us on a trip. Would you like that?”
“No. That would defeat the purpose.”
“What purpose? The one of seeing whether Lord Evston will abandon the king’s castle to search for you?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but yes. That would be welcome too.”
“Now—” Melsint broke off when the door opened. “Oh, good!” she cheered when Evston strode in.
He was dressed in a gorgeous suit. His recently clipped hair rested in perfect order, just like the rest of him. He certainly looked the part of royal advisor. He also looked so handsome that parts of her ached.
He greeted them formally and then asked Melsint to excuse them. She stood and hurried out immediately, and Brandese stiffened at his grave expression.
“What is it?”
“Let’s sit down,” he said, gesturing to a bench.
“No, just tell me. What is it? Another invasion?”
“No, the Ketturans secured a victory on the Wumbon outpost. Their focused strikes at the heart of the Massar military leadership paved the way for our troops to conquer them.”
“That’s wonderful! But you don’t look happy. What is it?” she asked, packing. “Has the Ketturan savage said he doesn’t care that I’m not a virgin? Is the king thinking of handing me over? So wretched! If it’s that, you should know that I won’t go! I thought that was the entire point of my staying in hiding? So you could claim I was missing until they went away?”
“No, of course you’re not going to Kettura. Nothing’s changed for you. We’ll get married in a large formal ceremony that the entire world will watch.”
“Is that what he’s insisted upon? Of course he did. Leave it to the king to use selling me off as a way to bolster patriotism and support for the monarchy,” she said. Pausing, her eyes narrowed. “There’s something else?”
“I worked against it, but in the end I couldn’t prevent it. The king promised Lana to the Ketturans in your place.”
