“Speaking of insurgents, Elias recently traveled to Paulanan,” I said pointedly.
Lucas frowned. Paulanan was in Sigbin territory. “What are you insinuating? The Court of Sigbin is loyal.”
“Really?” My voice was cold. “They welcomed me to Biringan with the threat of usurpation. By Amador of all people.”
Nix considered this. “Maybe when the insurgency didn’t pan out—they weren’t able to get to you—they went to plan B, scare you off the throne. And since that didn’t work, they’ll do to you what they did to Lucas’s dad and your dad.”
Lucas threw his arms up in annoyance, but Nix kept going. “You said it yourself, Lucas, that Marikit’s death might be a warning to the future queen.”
“But not from the Court of Sigbin!” Lucas roared. “You are talking of treason!”
“But how can you be so sure it’s not Amador?”
His face screwed up with disgust. “Excuse me?” he exclaimed. “You thinkAmadoris the mambabarang?”
Did I? “Not necessarily, I’m just saying, no stone left unturned...”
He crossed his arms and looked up to the ceiling, shaking his head slightly. “Like I said, the Court of Sigbin is a faithful subject to the Sirena throne. When the council ratified your ascension, there should have been no doubt as to where our loyalties lie. Perhaps House Oscura did mean to frighten you off your position at first, but when it was clear you would take on your father’s mantle, they withdrew their opposition in order to keep the peace.”
“There could be other reasons,” said Nix, looking meaningfully at me, “for Amador to want MJ out.”
“What reasons?”
Nix crossed her arms and stuck her face in his. “Boys! They’re always the last to know!”
Lucas threw his hands up in defeat. “What do you mean?”
“She means...” I hesitated. “Amador hates me.”
“Amador doesn’t hate you,” Lucas said.
Nix looked from one of us to the other and coughed. “Um, I... Excuse me,” she said, and ran off to the powder room, leaving us alone to have it out.
Were we really fighting about Amador?
Here I was thinking we made such a great team, and yet Ihad accused his kingdom of insurgency while he refused to believe his not-girlfriend could possibly be evil. Which was what she was. Evil.
“She doesn’t,” Lucas insisted. “Hate you, I mean.”
I closed my eyes. Guys could be so clueless. Did he actually believe that, or was he just trying to convince me? I looked directly at him. “Yes, she does, because she thinks... I mean... Well, to be honest, she told me about your engagement.”
“Our—what?” Lucas sputtered. I was even sure I heard Nix drop something in the powder room. Then he started laughing so hard he doubled over. I sat, stone-faced, and waited for him to recover. Finally, he straightened up and wiped his eyes. “Wait, wait. She told you what? That we’reengaged?”
Now I was mad. I crossed my arms, too. Amador had made a fool of me. “She said you were betrothed as kids.”
“Betrothed as...” He started shaking his head. “Did she really? You’re not teasing me? Playing a joke on me?”
I shook my head.
“Why did she—” He clenched his fists, then smacked them back down on his thighs. “You know what, forget it. It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, are you?” I demanded.
“Am I what?”
“Engaged to her?”
“No! Of course not! I told you, she’s not even my girlfriend! And if I was engaged already, why would Elias let me court you?”
