I remained motionless as she smiled and patted my cheek. She turned to Thorne and jumped seamlessly into his conversation as if nothing had happened.
Well.Thatsounded like a challenge.
Perhaps I wasn’t the only fox lying in wait.
16
Clarissa
“We had a bit of a setback on the way here,” Galen started, “but we’ve made it. I’m delighted to introduce you to Her Majesty Clarissa Aris, future Empress of the Veridian Empire.” He brandished an arm toward me.
Stepping forward, I inclined my head to Lord and Lady Silenus, racking my memory for the few pieces of information Galen gave about the regent family before the incident.
I kept eye contact with Dion as I said, “It’s wonderful to meet you. Your territory is beautiful—you’re truly blessed by the Fates.” Bringing my attention to Vespera, I offered a smile. “I look forward to getting to know you better in the coming days.”
She exchanged a swift glance with her husband, causing her long, thick black locks to swish along the front of her navy dress. When her dark eyes met mine again, they were hesitant but not unkind.
“We’re so sorry to hear about what happened but are happy to have you in our home, Your Majesties.” She curtsied to both Galen and me, but Lord Silenus remained unmoving, assessing us with an impassive expression on his pale, wrinkled face.
“Maurice,” Vespera said gently, looking down at the little boy at her side and urging him forward. He peeked up at us as he stuckhis thumb in his mouth and bowed, the movement causing him to stumble.
I grinned and knelt into a crouch, discreetly pulling a gold coin from the pocket in my pants. “And who might you be?”
He took his thumb out of his mouth long enough to say, “My name is Mo.”
“He can’t say ‘Maurice’ yet,” his mother explained.
My smile widened. “Well, I think Mo is a great name. And look what I found.” I gave an exaggerated gasp and reached out to “pluck” the gold coin from behind his ear.
His eyes flashed, and he slowly lowered his thumb, staring at the coin in awe. “Is thatmine?”
I chuckled. “It can be. If your parents say yes, of course,” I said, deferring to Vespera. She tilted her head as her lips curved into a small smile and nodded once. Maurice took the coin from my fingers and marveled at the gilded edges.
“Thank you, miss,” he said, the last word coming out as a whistle.
Shooting him a wink, I said, “You can call me Rissa.”
“If you will follow me, Your Majesties, I can show you around the property,” Vespera said, her smile now more relaxed. “We weren’t sure what time you would arrive, so we don’t have our formal dining room in order, but we’ve had the kitchen prepare a small dinner in the drawing room.”
“Will you and Lord Silenus be eating with us?” I asked as we stepped over the threshold and into their home.
Dion was already several paces ahead and didn’t look back when his name was mentioned. The side of Vespera’s jaw twitched. “The lord has some affairs to attend to. But I’ll accompany you, if that’s alright.”
“Of course,” I said. “Please, you and Maurice should both join.”
Maurice tugged on his mother’s hand. “Can I, Mama? Please?”
Without breaking her stride, she scooped him into her arms. “Now, you know it’s far past your bedtime, young man. I already let you stay up late to greet our guests.”
His lips turned down into a pout, and the sight was so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile. Vespera bade her son goodnight and passed him off to a nearby maid. He waved to me as she carried him away, and the rest of us continued our trek through the manor. It was simple but beautiful, with a sort of rustic edge. Cozy rust-colored rugs ran along the dark, hardwood floor, and a handful of portraits of the Silenus trio decorated the wooden walls.
“You’ve already made a good impression on one Silenus, at least,” Galen whispered next to me. “You’re wonderful with children.”
I shrugged. “They’re just like anyone else—they want to be noticed and appreciated. Everyone should be made to feel special every once in a while.”And I highly doubt his father does that, I thought to myself.
We were ushered down another corridor and into an open chamber, lit with a roaring fire on the back wall and several iron lanterns surrounding three couches and a grand piano. On a table in the center rested a pitcher of water and plates of sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, and a selection of cheeses.
Vespera, Galen, Mother, and I sat on the velvet cushions. While Vespera questioned Mother about the incident on the road, I saw a maid stop Thorne at the door and whisper something in his ear. He abruptly nodded and turned on his heel, following her down the hall and out of sight. My eyes tracked his movements until I felt Azura Reaux’s cold gaze lingering on me before she went after her son.
