But he hadn’t turned away.
She cleared her throat. “We’re helping Jayveh plan the emperor’s ball. I’m not very good at these things, but—”
“I didn’t ask where you were going,” he snapped.
Trying to act more undeterred than she felt, Amryn asked, “Would you like to join us?”
He blinked. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” She cracked a small smile. “You can’t be any worse at planning a ball than I am.”
Berron’s dark brows slashed down. He said nothing else, just stepped into his room and slammed the door.
She supposed that was answer enough.
Sighing, she turned—and reared back when she saw Ivan standing right there. She slapped a hand over her pounding heart. “Saints, I didn’t hear you.”
Ivan was frowning at Berron’s door. “A Vincetti?” he asked.
“Yes. Carver’s brother.” Her brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard you would be meeting with Jayveh and Sadia this morning.” The fact that he was here to escort her was not stated, but obvious.
She didn’t bother arguing. She politely dismissed the bodyguard Carver had arranged for her, and she and Ivan made their way down the stairs. “How did you know I was meeting them?” Amryn asked.
Ivan glanced at her. “Elowen mentioned it.”
Amryn smiled slowly. “When were you with Elowen?”
The slightest hint of color touched his high cheekbones. “We went for a walk last night.”
She couldn’t hold back her grin. She’d spent a little more time with Carver’s sister since the feast, and while they’d talked of many things, Elowen seemedthe most interested when she asked casually worded questions about the Sibeten prince. Amryn also couldn’t help but notice the way Elowen’s eyes lit up whenever Ivan made an appearance—which seemed to be any time Amryn needed an escort around the palace. Or any time he thought Elowen might be visiting in Amryn’s suite.
The way the two of them looked at each other, and the emotions that bloomed whenever they did, made Amryn’s own heart race.
She hadn’t mentioned anything to Carver yet. She had a feeling he’d realize it for himself soon enough.
Ivan grunted. “Stop smiling like that.”
It only made her grin wider.
Tea was waiting for them on a shaded patio in a private section of the emperor’s vast gardens. Ivan positioned himself with Jayveh’s bodyguards, the group of men doing their best to give the illusion of privacy to the women.
While they waited for Hector and Chancellor Morav to arrive so they could continue planning for the upcoming ball, they chatted about a variety of things. The weather. The delicious pastries that had been served with their tea. The beautiful flowers that bloomed all around them.
Then Sadia asked, “Has High Cleric Lisbeth been cornering each of you?”
Amryn shook her head, though Jayveh said, “Yes.”
At Amryn’s surprised look, the princess explained, “She’s come to pray with me a few times. I think she truly wants to help us process what happened at Esperance.”
Amryn vaguely remembered Lisbeth’s offer of counseling, and she knew the female cleric had approached both Carver and Ivan with similar offers.
Jayveh lifted her teacup. “The prayers and meditations have actually brought me some peace.”
Amryn took a slow sip of her own tea, but the drink did nothing to warm her. She didn’t like the idea of Lisbeth spending time with Jayveh. Something about the high cleric continued to unnerve her.
“I’m glad she’s helping you,” Sadia said to Jayveh. Her finger slid over the delicate handle on her teacup. “She apologized to me for the way Zacharias accused me of being an empath.”
