I do not clap.
I can’t.
Because I can’t stop staring at Amie –Amie– as she leans into my father and he bends to whisper in her ear.
I’m going to be sick.
“Careful, cousin.” A murmur sounds in my ear. “You don’t seem too happy about this announcement.”
As my father turns, his eyes landing on me, I force my hands together, contort my face into an approximation of a smile. “I find myself surprised, Matteo, that is all. Naturally, I’m delighted for them.”
My father kisses my best friend’s hand, and she laughs, looking for all the world like a blushing bride.
She glances over his shoulder, her eyes meeting mine before she twists to wave at the crowd.
Dismissing me.
***
“That was an unexpected announcement.”
I find her out on the terraced balcony, looking out across the Courtyard. We’re on the floor above the main hall, in a small room kept exclusively for use by the five dons when they’re on campus grounds. Champagne corks pop inside, and I hear a decidedly male cheer as alcohol flows freely amongst the dons and their men.
Amie doesn’t turn towards me. She keeps her arms wrapped around herself, her hair barely moving in the breeze as I stride forward, leaning my elbows on the wall that separates us from the ground below. “Not enjoying your engagement party?”
Her lips tighten until they turn pale. “I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone.”
I push away the hurt. “As though I would have spilled your secrets? I thought we were friends, Amie. He is four decades older than you—,”
“So?” She challenges me. She spins around, her hands clenching. “Not all of us are lucky enough to be born into power, Caterina. Some of us have to take it where we can.”
I stare at her, this stranger. Her voice drips with scorn, with loathing, her face twisting into something I don’t recognise as she sneers at me. “Is that what you want, then? Power?”
“Better this than to be married off to some lowlife who likes to drink and then use his fists afterwards. At least I will be cared for.”
I laugh. From shock, maybe. “You sound like some throwback, Amie. Is this really what you want? To marry him? A young wife to an old man, caring for him in his dotage?”
Not that it would matter, if she truly loves him. But this is clearly not a love match, whatever show my father puts on. He hasn’t looked at her once since we’ve been up here, except to make sure she’s behaving.
“This is not the life you want, Amie.” I reach out my hand, but she yanks her own away.
“Don’t tell me what I want,” she says, her voice low. “While you sit there on your golden throne. Are you worried, Cat? That our preciousfemaleCorvo heir might be displaced?”
I blink. Not at the thought. I’m well aware of the ramifications of this announcement, probably more so than even Amie realizes. But the glee in her words… “When did you start hating me so much?”
She presses her lips together. “When I realized how little you care about any of it. Happy to leave us to our fates while you swan around with yourweaponsand yourmen. You leave at thedrop of a hat without a word and come back and expect things to be the same – well I am sorry, Cat. Sorry that I havechanged, and learned that we have to make our own way in this world wherever we can. I certainly couldn’t rely on you, mybest friend, to help me.”
It feels like a slap, her words making me reel.
At the blunt, brutal honesty in them.
And the kernels of truth.
“Fine,” I say softly. “I am sorry that I didn’t do more, Amie. I wish… wish you had spoken to me. But I wish you the best in your engagement. For a… a long and happy marriage.”
Her eyes widen, but I’m already turning away.
I cut through the celebrating crowd, ignoring the stares of Luciano and Dante.
