“Evelyne, come now.”
Which was neither agreement nor rebuttal. Which made her realize that all the plans they’d made had been…hers. And he’d never disagreed with her, never told her she was fanciful or in the wrong.
But he never agreed. Never supported. Neveractedto make any of her dreams come true.
Because he’d always known. She saw it so clearly now, in this terrible moment where her future was turning to darkness.She’dlet herself build a fantasy on him.He’dlet her.
But fantasy was all it was.
Fine enough to risk the king’s wrath when he got a princess sneaking into his bed out of the deal, but not enough to actually…dosomething.
“You said you loved me.” That hehadsaid.
And it was a lie.
“Let us not make a scene at your brother’s wedding,” Jordi said, patting the hand that held on to him. When the wedding wasn’t set to start for another few hours.
She looked at him, his handsome face. Those green eyes she’d been so taken with that refused to meet her gaze. The way he held himself, leaning slightly back as if he was afraid she might transfer a sickness to him.
The sickness of being a Lidia.
Something inside her broke. Whatever youthful naïveté she’d managed to hold on to in this place. Whatever belief she’d had that Jordimight have seen her and loved her, was gone, and with it…all her hopes for a future out of her father’s influence.
She heard her name, turned to see two of her father’s guards striding toward her. Because she would not be given a moment of freedom any longer, not after threatening to kill herself. So now it was all over.
Hope was dead.
Gabriel Marti did not relish spending time in Alis. He found the small, military-obsessed country stifling. His father had been born here, had been a diplomat from Alis to Italy when Gabriel had been born, but had fallen in love in Italy. Though Gabriel had spent his very early years in Alis, his father had moved them to his mother’s home country before King Enzo had gotten too obsessed with might and violence and canceled all diplomacy to other countries.
He’d gotten them out just in time too. Not long after Gabriel had turned eight, King Enzo had shut down the borders and kept all citizens prisoners, essentially. Father would often lament that Enzo was a simple man who had followed the simple adage—absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Gabriel would not visit at all, but Prince Alexandre Lidia had been his best friend since he could remember. First here at the palace, and then at the boarding school his parents had allowed him to attend so that he and Alex could continue their friendship.
Gabriel owed Alex much, his entire life, really. So he’d spent the past week at the Lidia palace preparing for the royal wedding where he would stand up for his friend.
Besides, Gabriel had long ago learned that findinghumorin a complicated situation was far better than getting sour about it, taking it too seriously, and then traveling the path toward ruin.
Sometimes he worried that visits to Alis would end with the king finding some way to keep him here. One never knew with King Enzo, and since Gabriel had built himself up into an independent, wealthy businessman, he knew the king hadsomeinterest in him, claiming him to Alis in some way.
But so far, he had outwitted all the king’s attempts to keep him here and claim him as an Alis citizen. Gabriel was confident in his skills…but not so arrogant to ever let his guard down.
This trip, the king had been surprisingly hands-off. Gabriel hoped it was because he was busy and wrapped up in the wedding, but he still didn’t let his guard down. All throughout the ceremony, and into the reception, he kept himself in a group at all times.
And since he valued enjoyment and having a good time no matter the circumstances, mostly the groups were made up of beautiful, glittering women.
Until Alexandre came up to him and handed him a glass of wine. The smile was fake. No matter how good Alexandre was at being stoic, Gabriel had known him long enough so that he knew how to read him. He also knew that if Alex was moving him toward a shadowy corner, away from the flirtatious royals, debutants, and so on, it was for good reason.
“I need you to do me a favor,” Alex said, his voice low and intense. His gaze tracked around the room. Gabriel noted the king was currently talking to the bride and her parents. Occupied. But Alex kept his dark gaze on his father.
“On your wedding night? Shouldn’t you be more concerned with your new bride?”
Alex’s gaze moved to Ines. His expression seemed to grow more grim, if possible. Gabriel knew there was no great love match there. If anything, Alex and Ines tolerated each other for the greater good.
Gabriel thought it was a pity. He wasn’t sure he believed in something as deep and abiding as soul mates. Such depth of feeling would be dangerous, no doubt. But he had spent his childhood in the warmth of his parents’ good marriage and figured a bad one would be rather soul sucking.
Ines was a pretty thing, but…fragile seeming, and the huge white confection of a dress did little to dispel that aura. She seemed the kind of fragile that would never survive life in the Lidia palace.
Oh, Alexandre was a good man who would try to protect her, because nothing survived here without Alexandre’s protection. But Gabriel had his doubts that even Alex could save Ines from the life she was about to lead.
