“He heard what you did in the dungeons. How you didn’t beg or plead for the duke’s life.”
My head spins. That was a duke? That man I sentenced to death to protect my own identity was a duke?
I take a drink from my wine goblet to buy myself a moment to steady myself. It is good for me that he is dead. It protected me and has earned the emperor’s favor. I should be celebrating.
I set the goblet down. “This is my home now. You will inherit the throne, and I will be by your side.”
“That’s what I told him,” he says. “I told him you were a timid and submissive woman.”
“You lied.”
“I know.”
“But that’s what you want. A woman who follows you blindly.” I hate that I’m trying to fit the role and play the part. I’ve found out the emperor is alive, but I don’t know if he’s mortal. He looks like his immortality might be failing, but I have to be sure.
Caiden smirks, then sets his hand on my leg. “I think it’s going to be fun breaking you.” His hand moves so he’s between my legs, his touch caressing my inner thigh.
I grab his hand and move it to his leg, then drag my fingertips along the top of his thigh to his knee. “I think you’d be disappointed if I gave in.” I pat his hand, then pick up my glass and take a long gulp, attempting to mask my sudden mortification. What the fuck was I doing? I didn’t want to encourage him.
He opens his mouth to respond, but his father leans over to speak to him. I let out a relieved breath. That could have ended very badly for me.
Dessert is delivered to each guest, and I can’t even taste the cake I make myself have two bites of. It’s beautiful but is like ash in my mouth.
As soon as the emperor stands, all the plates are whisked away, and the guests vacate their seats. Everyone moves toward the open area behind all the tables.
Caiden rises and offers his hand. I don’t have to look toward the guests to know that all eyes are on me.
He leads us to the back of the room, where everyone gathers around us, watching with rapt attention. They will notice if even a single step is out of place. When Caiden places his hand on my waist and we prepare to start our dance, I glance up at the head table. The emperor and the priest are gone. They aren’t in the crowd, and they made no announcement of their departure. I guess my audience with him is complete.
When the music begins, Caiden sweeps me into the dance we practiced together. I follow him but do misstep several times. Caiden doesn’t flinch at any of my mistakes and smiles at me as if he is truly enjoying my company. The man is a fabulous actor.
I catch glimpses of my ladies in the crowd, each of them smiling. People’s expressions vary from annoyed to contemplative to wistful. I wish I could make notes of each person, as I’m certain their reaction to this would tell me everything I need to know about how they view my presence here.
When the music finally ends, I dip into a curtsy and Caiden bows. The audience claps but it’s short-lived, as they all pour into the dance floor with the next song. I use the transition to quickly flee so I can avoid having to dance again.
In the movement, I lose Caiden, but I notice Brevan standing against the wall, watching me. I wonder if he’d take me back to my rooms if I asked.
Antonia and Charlotte find me before I can walk over to him. They squeal in high-pitched tones.
“He looks smitten,” Antonia squeals.
“I can’t believe how he held you.” Charlotte crosses her arms over her chest as if hugging herself. “That hand on your back? That’s not proper. I’ve never seen him break protocol, but he just had to touch you.”
“How lucky that your marriage will be to someone who will treat you well!” Antonia sighs.
“Yes, I’m very lucky,” I reply.
“And the emperor himself toasted you,” she adds. “I heard he hasn’t come to any events since the empress died.”
“He looks so frail, doesn’t he?” Charlotte whispers.
“I know,” Antonia says. “I’m worried about him.”
“Did he look like that last time you saw him?” I ask.
“No,” she says. “I heard stories about how he ages between visits to the temple before, but I didn’t realize how bad it gets.”
“What do you mean ‘between visits to the temple’?” I ask.
