“Is that so?” I can’t help the way my eyebrows shoot up in response, remembering how the nobles told Zadyn that Kylian had refused to take a wife and queen consort. So what changed his mind?
“Aegean court is full of lovely, eligible bachelorettes. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding a worthy wife here.”
“Lovely as they may be, I’m looking for something…special. Suffice it to say my tastes are more”—his hand glides over my bare knee, and I fight the urge to take the fork on the table and jab it clean through his hand—“refined.”
“Something special?” I challenge. “Is the King a secret romantic, or are you referring to an advantageous alliance?”
“Perhaps a little bit of both.” He smiles wickedly, the effect dazzling.
“I don’t believe that for a minute.” I sigh, facing forward again, and sip my wine demurely. “You desire a love match?”
“That’s certainly part of it. I have refused many marriage offers over the years from princesses and highborn females—the most desirable matches in all of Solterre. But none of them were my equal and, therefore, would not be fit to rule beside me.”
The fanfare of trumpets announcing the arrival of the king and queen sounds from atop the massive staircase, temporarily pausing our conversation. They descend the steps side by side, Sorscha trailing behind them in a cropped fitted golden breastplate, a cream-colored skirt with a long train, and a sparkling tiara in her done-up hair.
She and the queen settle into their thrones, and the king remains standing. He lifts a golden goblet, addressing his court.
“Friends, courtiers, and honored guests,” he booms. “I welcome you to the third night of King’s Fair. Tonight, we honor and embrace the valiant King Kylian of Vod by feasting on the finest meat and mead Aegar has to offer. We are forever grateful for the tranquility between our two great nations. Let us toast to many more years of peace and prosperity!”
The crowd roars and applauds, lifting their glasses. Kylian smiles and nods to the masses like a goddamn Kennedy. King Derek holds up a hand to hush the room once more.
“Tonight is a momentous occasion indeed. Not only do we celebrate King Kylian’s stay at court, but we have happy news to share. Raise your glass to toast the recent engagement of my heir, the Crown Princess Sorscha Accostia, to my newly appointed Hand of the King, Jace Fallyn.”
38
My heart stops.
It stops dead in my chest as tunnel vision threatens to knock me from my seat.
No, no, no.
My eyes shift to Sorscha and Jace as they get to their feet beside the king. Jace interlocks their fingers and lifts their joined hands in the air triumphantly. The crowd erupts into wild cheers as I fight to get down a breath. It would take a trained eye to notice that their twin smiles don’t quite reach their eyes.
“Wish them everlasting fortune and happiness!” The king toasts and sips from his goblet. The crowd again threatens to deafen me with their taunting cheers. When Jace looks at me, his mask momentarily slips, revealing the regret behind those golden eyes. It’s gone before I can blink.
“You and the captain seemed quite close yesterday. Or should I say, the Hand? I was surprised to hear of his involvement with the princess.” Kylian tuts, interrupting my racing thoughts. I school my face into a mask of indifference.
“He and the princess have been good friends to me since my arrival at court. We have all grown close in recent months.”
“Yes, I had heard of your humble upbringing in the north. How tragic for a beauty as rare as yours to be cloistered behind temple walls all your life.”
He really did his homework, didn’t he?
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” I smile smoothly, shifting to face forward again. “And I plan to take full advantage of my freedom.”
“That shouldn’t be difficult to do with a dragon on your side.”
My blood goes cold as I slowly turn to him.
“Oh, did you think I didn’t notice your little nosebleed? Those unmistakable eyes? That glamour won’t last another hour.” He leans back in his velvet-lined throne, his sparkling eyes roaming over me. “You are even more of a surprise than I originally thought.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I bluff.
He chuckles. “You remind me so much of myself.”
What an insult, I refrain from saying aloud.
“How so?”
