I think he already knew, he just needed to hear it. “For one thing, the Ascorian monarchy isn’t going to let their daughter marry an exiled prince.”
“Heh. That much is true. Their reputation would take a beating if they did.”
“I think your adoptive parents will also fear what havoc Victor will wreak in their country. He can’t seem to behave three minutes, much less five. Plus, there’s the matter of what to do, how they can punish him, as they’ve already stripped him of everything he had. I doubt they want to behead him over this, more’s the pity. If they turn him loose in Zuskal, it’ll bring about ruination in one way or another and then they’ll be cleaning up the mess. Neither country wants to upset the good relationship they have now. This marriage threatens it in every possible aspect.”
“Also true. I fear…”
I waited him out, knowing from the way his body had clenched that this was the heart of the matter.
“I fear they will try to foist the engagement off on me rather than let Victor carry it.”
Ah-ha. Well, he wasn’t wrong to fear…I could practically feel Queen Beatrice coming up with the idea even now. Still, we had ways to combat that, too. “You can deny the engagement on two grounds. First, she’s a child—you legally can’t marry her anyway.”
James barked out an ugly laugh. “True.”
“Two, you have it in writing that your parents can’t even suggest a spouse to you. You can legally tell them to fuck off if she tries.”
“I never got the opportunity to tell her to fuck off in my first life,” James said in an almost dreamy way. “I wanted to so many times. Maybe I’ll actually say it this time.”
“You should, if she suggests it. She really has no grounds.”
“True.”
“Third, and most importantly, if Valentina tries to get her claws into you again, I’ll murder the bitch myself.”
At that, James turned in my arms and grinned, his expression sharp and fierce. “I’ll hold you to it.” He let out a long breath that released the tension riding in him. “You’re so good at talking me down.”
“Oh, is that why you like me? I’m a James wrangler?”
He snorted a laugh, and I knew the worst had passed for now. “You really are. I’m forever thankful for it.”
Draping his arms around my shoulders, he sighed and lowered his head to rest against mine, eyes closed. I stayed still, breathing his breath, knowing he was gathering and steeling himself to go back inside. I willed strength into him, wanting to bolster him any way I could. This pose felt strangely intimate, and I made a mental note to do it again later. I loved feeling so close to him.
Eventually, he lifted his head and exhaled a long breath.
“Ready to go back in, then?”
“Hmm, yes, let’s not leave it all to Helena and Royce. That seems unfair.” James stepped out of my hands only to twine his fingers with mine.
I kept my hand in his as we walked back into the ballroom.
To my surprise, the ball was underway. In the time we’d been out on the balcony, someone had started the music, done the opening dance, and gotten everyone on the floor. A greatmany nobles lingered by tables to gossip, which was completely understandable, but at least the ball was in motion.
I sensed Helena’s work here.
James took me right up onto the dais with him, which was technically not allowed, but I was certainly not going to argue with him. Not in this mood.
Helena sat there with Prince Royce and Lucien, so I wasn’t the only nonroyal on the dais. She looked peeved behind the false smile painted onto her face.
“James,” she said, all while smiling and nodding at someone else passing by. “How are you?”
“Livid. Also sick to my stomach. If there’s ever a pairing that shouldn’t exist, it’s that one.”
Lucien, the only one not caught up to speed, seemed a bit lost. “Am I missing something?”
James unbent enough to explain, “Princess Valentina is only fifteen.”
“Oh.” Lucien’s eyes blew wide in surprise. “Ohshit. Seriously?”
