“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” I said coldly. “I’ll be sure to keep myself perfectly intact. What good am I if I can’tsaveyou?”
His eyes widened. “No, Clarissa, that’s not what I meant.” I shook my head and turned to walk away, but he grabbed my hand. “Please, let me?—”
I yanked my arm away, then looked around the crowded ballroom and schooled my features. I didn’t want to cause a scene, but I also didn’t want to be around him.
He furrowed his brow and took a step toward me, reaching forme again. This time, however, he didn’t get the chance to touch me.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
“Is there a problem?” Thorne asked, his voice low and with a hint of danger.
Galen straightened his jacket. “No, Thorne. Just trying to talk to my fiancée.”
My cheek twitched at the word. “We have nothing more to talk about. You should make your rounds, Galen. Your people are expecting you.”
He let out a noise of impatience. “You’re being difficult. If you would just let me explain?—”
“You don’t need to explain. I understood you perfectly,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “I know what my value is to you. What my purpose is. Let’s not pretend this has to be anything more.”
He looked like he was about to argue when a messenger approached. “Your Majesty, a letter has arrived for you from Palace Grimaldi.” He held out a silver platter with a folded piece of parchment to Galen.
Galen batted the tray away. “Not now.”
The messenger shuffled on his feet. “It’s urgent, Your Majesty. About your mother.”
That got his attention. He looked over at the messenger, then down at the envelope. Grabbing it, he gave me one last look and said, “I need to see what this is about.”
I didn’t respond. He turned on his heel and strode out a side door in the ballroom. I let out a breath and felt my chest deflate, along with all the tension I’d been carrying.
“Are you alright?” Thorne murmured, stepping closer.
“I’m fine.” I waved a hand in the air. “Just another day of never knowing what side of him I’m going to get.” Over Thorne’s shoulder, I spotted the doors leading to the balcony. “Excuse me, I’m going to get some air.”
The ivory bottom of my gown brushed across the floor as I made my way through the crowd and opened the doubledoors. It was a beautiful stone balcony, with dark vines twisting around the rails and over the edge. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I missed being out under the stars whenever I wanted. The night’s breeze was a cool reprieve against my skin, and I rested my elbows on the stone rail to take it all in.
When I opened my eyes, they landed on the sprawling grounds of the Penworth Estates several stories below. The tall hedges bordered acres of beautiful gardens, with winding paths and fountains that glistened in the moonlight. And on the very periphery of my vision?—
A shadow.
I squinted. It looked like a cloaked figure running along the trees on the edge of the property, heading toward the entrance?—
Before I could focus on the dark image, a scream burst through the ballroom.
“Come quick! It’s the king!”
42
Thorne
Ibolted toward the servant girl who came running from the door Galen had exited through. Members of the King’s Guard were already stationed there, preventing hordes of people from clambering past.
“I’m Regent Lord of the North Territory. Let me through,” I commanded.
They moved aside, and I heard my mother following closely on my heels. When I turned the corner down the hallway, a small kitchen came into view.
And at the entrance lay a body.
I sprinted the short distance, my heart lurching into my throat.
