“You’re looking well,” Dorian said evenly, voice clipped.
“I manage, considering all the responsibilities Father entrusted to me,” Theron replied, his tone sweetly poisonous. “Of course, not everyone can bear such... weight.”
A shadow flickered across Dorian’s face, gone almost before it appeared.
“And yet here you stand,” Dorian said, his voice light but the steel underneath unmistakable.
Zander shifted slightly beside him, his stance tightening. I caught the flicker of confusion in his eyes, mirroring my own.
Something else was happening here. Something layered and dangerous I didn’t yet understand.
Theron leaned in slightly, the false smile never leaving his lips. “You’ll be returning to the Outer Kingdoms immediately, of course. It would be a shame if... misunderstandings arose in your absence.”
A cold thread wrapped around my spine.Was that a threat?
Dorian didn’t flinch. He simply inclined his head once, a move that looked like acquiescence but tasted like surrender soaked in acid.
“As you wish,” he said smoothly. “I have no desire to... complicate things further.”
Theron’s smile widened just a fraction in victory.
Dorian turned without another word, his dark cloak whispering against the marble as he stalked toward the antechamber doors.
The room remained frozen, nobles staring, unsure whether they had just witnessed an agreement... or the opening volley of a war.
I stared after him, stunned.
The eldest son, the rightful heir, had just let Theron order him away like a disobedient servant.
Beside me, I felt Zander’s frustration boil over, bleeding hot and jagged through the bond that had continued to knit between us.
He masked it well on the outside, his face the perfect image of stoic nobility.
But inside, he was seething.
“What was that?” I asked, keeping my voice low as I walked beside Zander through the thrumming crowd, my boots brushing against polished marble. “Between Dorian and Theron. That wasn’t just brotherly affection.”
“I don’t know,” Zander said, his jaw tight. His hand skimmed the small of my back, a touch more protective than casual. “But I intend to find out.”
Before I could press him further, Inderia appeared from the crowd like a storm on the horizon, her red gown catching the light as she approached with predatory grace.
“Zander,” she cooed, her voice sticky sweet, “would you honor me with a dance?”
His arm stiffened against me.
“I’m afraid I can’t,” Zander said smoothly, his tone polite but cool. “Ashe is my official date tonight.”
Inderia’s smile didn’t falter, but something cold glinted in her eyes. “For now,” she murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.
I clenched my fists at my sides, nails digging half-moons into my palms.
Inderia tilted her head, her earrings catching the light. “I would like to speak with you privately, Zander. Just a moment of your time.”
Zander hesitated, glancing at me once, an apology in the flicker of his gaze, before he nodded stiffly and allowed her to lead him toward one of the side alcoves.
I stepped away, letting the crowd swallow me. Alone now, the prickling sensation of too many stares slid over my skin.
I had barely caught my breath when a man approached—one I hadn’t been introduced to.
