“I’m glad you’re happy.”
Servants come around the table, filling wineglasses. The prince covers his and shakes his head. “None for me.”
I sip my wine. “Still hungover from the other night?”
“I want to be completely sober for later,” he says.
“I didn’t think I’d have company. Won’t I need the rest before tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you up too late.”
I take a gulp of my wine, already wondering what I’m going to have to do to get him away from me long enough to sneak out with Anya.
It was going to be hard enough already with guards constantly at the door. I’m really hoping there’s a secret passageway somewhere in her room.
“You know, my father told me he wasn’t going to have you do the gifting ceremony after all while we were away.”
“What changed his mind back?” I ask.
“The bodies you left on the floor in your room. He was impressed by your bravery.” He smiles as if he knows something I don’t.
“I’m not sure how to reply to that. If I could have chosen for them to pass by my room and not break down the door, I’d have taken that option. I was only brave because I had to be.”
“But they did break down your door. Almost like the gods themselves sent a test for you.”
“Maybe,” I reply.
Bowls of soup are set in front of each of us, and we make polite conversation with the people around us as we eat. I’m seated across from the Duke and Duchess of Bogshire. They laugh at every joke the prince makes, even if it’s not funny, and compliment him at every possible moment. They’ve even started doing it to me by the time we reach the main course.
My ladies are at the end of the table. Given the honor of sitting near me, but not close enough that I can speak with them. They’re all directly across from men. I wonder if those men are looking for wives.
The only person I don’t see is Brevan. I tell myself that it doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t mean that the prince knowsabout our kiss. It doesn’t mean that he’s gone. He’s just busy. I look toward the door more often than I should in the hopes that he’ll walk through it.
By the time dessert is served, my face hurts from fake smiling and I am out of safe, mindless conversation topics.
Musicians file in as dinner is cleared away, and people leave the tables to gather in groups to converse or dance. I just want out of this room.
“I have a bit of a headache,” I say to Caiden. “I don’t think I’ve quite recovered from last night yet.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Why don’t you rest for a while, and I’ll send Brevan to come and get you later. We have some things to do to prepare for the ceremony tomorrow.”
“Alright.” I stand on my toes and kiss his cheek because it feels like what would be expected of me.
He smiles, then waves over two young legionnaires who seem overly eager to attend to the prince. “Please escort my bride to her room. I need you to wait outside the door until the enforcer arrives. Nobody in or out.”
I try not to wince when he saysout.
“See you soon, Princess,” Caiden says.
I give him a small curtsy, then walk toward the door. The pair of legionnaires follows close behind. As I’m leaving, I scan the room for Anya. I don’t see her anywhere. Maybe she left already. If we’re lucky, we can find a passageway and get out now.
If we’re unlucky, we might have to go later tonight after whatever Caiden has planned. Either way, I will not be at the temple tomorrow.
My heart aches at the thought of leaving Brevan behind, but I know I could never have him, anyway. And there’s the whole fact that I failed at what I was sent here to do. But I carry information with me that may help someone else complete the mission.
When I arrived here, I was willing to throw my life away for even a chance at making the royals suffer. Now, I see things a little differently. They still need to meet their end, but it needs to be done properly. We’ll need two assassins so they can be killed at the same time, leaving no chance for one of them to catch the killer before the deed is completed.
I’ll find Lee and let him know. And I’ll also demand he tell me who killed my brothers. And then I’ll make plans to make their murderer pay.
