“What is wrong with you?”she asked.
“Nothing,” I said.She must not have seen the Zulenii wink.I did not want to mention it.
“You are huffing and puffing as though you have been chasing a group of Hollows.”
“It’s warm in here,” I said.She gave me a look that indicated she didn’t think it overly warm at all.Her gaze slid pointedly to my bare arms, and I straightened my shoulders and ignored her.We stood behind our chairs, waiting for my father to invite us to sit.I purposely did not look at Taio.
The king gave the nod, and we took our seats.The servants moved forward and poured watered wine in our goblets.All our wine and ale was weak so we could be ready, at a moment’s notice, to fight the Hollows.That did not mean no one was ever drunk.It just meant it took many more cups to achieve that state.
My father raised his glass and said something to honor the Zulenii.At that point I was so focused on ignoring Taio that I barely heard.I drank from my goblet by rote and then pulled back and stared at it.I heard murmurs from everyone around me.“This is not watered,” Finnrey said, eyes wide.
“I’ve never had wine that wasn’t watered,” I replied.I wasn’t sure I liked it.This wine tasted strong and tangy and so much richer than what I was used to.
“I like it,” Riah said, leaning over Finnrey.“Do you think the Court Chef forgot to water it?”
“No,” Finnrey answered.“This is in deference to the Zulenii.But don’t drink too much Riah.It won’t do to be drunk when you meet with the prince or have an aching head tomorrow at the Claiming Rite.”
I thought this good advice and set my goblet back down.Servants moved forward with trays of food now, setting large bowls of huma on the table along with breads and vegetables to dip in it.The beans grown to make the huma were harvested within the walls of the village, so we always had plenty of it.These fresh vegetables were harder to come by.We often ate preserved or pickled vegetables in stews and soups.I reached for a carrot stick and bit into it, then glanced at the Zulenii group to see what they thought of the food.
Once again, my gaze met Taio’s.I almost choked on my carrot, and Finnrey had to pound me on the back when I began coughing.I coughed for several minutes, my face turning red because of the effort and also from embarrassment.When I could finally breathe, I took a large drink of my wine.But I’d forgotten how strong it was, and I had to fight not to spit it out.I swallowed it, the liquid burning my throat as it went down.I lifted my napkin and dabbed at my watery eyes, catching my mother’s glare across the table.I glared back.It wasn’t as though Iwantedto have a coughing fit in the middle of dinner.
I set my napkin down and decided I should probably avoid both eating and looking at the Zulenii prince.I peeked at the prince again, and he gave me a concerned look.I blew out an annoyed breath.The last thing I wanted from him was concern or sympathy.I especially didn’t want his attention, and I was even more annoyed with myself for being taken off-guard and warranting sympathy.“Excuse me,” I murmured to Finnrey.
She swallowed and grabbed my wrist.“Where are you going?”
“I need some air.I’ll be right back.”
She held on to my wrist.“Your mother will be furious.”
“If she asks, tell her I needed the retiring room.”I yanked my wrist free and walked quickly away from the table.I took the side door out of the throne room, but instead of turning toward the castle’s entry, I turned left and moved deeper within.In the flickering torchlight, I spotted a door that led outside.A little further ahead and I’d reach the throne room’s antechamber.Lord Ashe’s deputies were probably in there and would quickly shuttle me back to the banquet.I pushed on the exterior door, having to exert quite a bit of pressure as it opened onto a large balcony overlooking the ocean, and this high on the cliffs, the wind was fierce.I squeezed through the door and took a gulp of fresh air.I immediately put my hands on my bare arms.I had forgotten how cold it could be up here, especially at night.
I spotted the guard on the far side of the balcony and lifted a hand to him or her to show I was friendly.But my arm froze halfway up.“Gaz?”I said, my words swallowed by the wind.
“I should have known you’d be the first to try and escape, Mara,” Gaz said, moving forward.
“I wasn’t—” I shook my head, but his face broke into a grin.He was teasing me.I felt like a dusthead for taking him seriously.
“I wish Icouldescape,” I said, moving forward.“What are you doing here?”
By tacit agreement, we both walked to the edge of the stone balcony.Even though it was colder at the edge, I needed to look down and see the waves crashing on the rocks below.That awesome display always made me remember how small my problems were.Those waves had been crashing on those rocks for centuries before me and they would do so after me.
“Ecdra spotted me in the castle trying to get a better look at the golden blade for the rite and said I needed an assignment.”
“I’m sorry.You could be home resting.”
He shrugged.“I don’t mind.I like it up here and away from all the gossiping people.”
“I would rather be in the outerlands than here right now,” I said.
“I’d rather you were there too.I don’t like this Claiming Rite, especially given it’s hand-to-hand combat.”Gaz reached out and touched my arm.His touch was warm on my freezing skin.
“None of the princesses are in danger of forfeiting their lives, but if the prince loses, we face a choice.”
Gaz raised his brows.He hadn’t taken his hand off my arm yet, and I liked the feel of his warmth on my skin.
“The princess may use the golden dagger you saw to slit his throat.Or allow him to live.If he lives, he will be escorted out of Earsleh.”
“You’ll defeat him,” Gaz said.“And then you’ll kill him.”
