Sin snorted, muttering something again in Rivellan, and it pushed me over the edge.
Shoving back from my chair, I leaned over the table and snarled, “And you! How the hell can you help me with anything when you won’t even speak fucking English?”
Sin shot to his feet, slammed his hands down and shouted back in Rivellan.
“Cennux Dreisin, take your seat,” my father commanded. “I understand your frustration, but you will address the princess in a manner befitting her station.”
Sin gave me a nasty look, then slid back into his chair.
I turned to my father and jabbed a finger toward Sin. “What’s his problem?”
“Cennux Dreisin is understandably concerned about your training interfering with his other duties,” my father said. “Duties that are ultimately less important than preparing you.” He gave a pointed look at Sin, who was suddenly very focused on his plate of food.
“And will Cennux Dreisin be speaking to me in English anytime soon?”
Sin looked up at me, his scowl morphing into a smug grin. “Whatever the princess desires.”
At the head of the table, my father gave a sharp node as if that resolved everything. “Please sit, Raynella. Finish your meal.” He gestured at the nearly full plate of food in front of me.
“I’m not hungry,” I grumbled, hating that I sounded like a petulant child. It was also a lie since I was still ravenous, but I wasn’t about to sit down and make nice with the asshole across the table.
“In that case, perhaps Cennux Dreisin is ready to begin your training. Deylan and I are needed in Civi Adasa today.” At my look of confusion he clarified, “The city beyond the gates. The King's Council will be held in six days, and we must prepare for our guests. It is unfortunate that the timing coincided with your arrival, but there is nothing to be done about it.”
I was too tired to even care what the King’s Council was. It sounded political and boring, and I was sure someone would tell me about it eventually. That’s how I got all my knowledge here—eventually.
I noted Sin’s mostly full plate of food. Feeling spiteful I said, “Yes that sounds like a stellar idea. Right now would be perfect.”
The scowl never left Sin’s face, but he pushed back from the table and said, “Whatever the princess desires.”
I was beginning to wonder if that was all he knew how to say.
Dey came around to meet me and clasped my hands in his. “I wish I could stay with you today, but Sin will take good careof you, I promise. He might seem a little rough, but he is very skilled and will train you well.”
I looked down at my small hands cradled tightly within his larger ones and felt a little tug at my heart. Dey genuinely did care about me, it wasn’t just sexual attraction.
“I’ll be fine. I can handle grumpy pants over there.”
Sin muttered something in Rivellan, but I ignored him. “Do what you gotta do,” I said. “I’ll see you when you get back. Maybe sometime you could actually take me into the city with you. It would be nice to get out of the castle.”
Dey smiled. “It would be my pleasure, Princess. The city can be a very dangerous place at times, but so long as I am your escort, you will be safe.”
I gave him a matching smile, then strode briskly from the dining room. “Will you be coming, Cennux Dreisin?” I called over my shoulder as I pushed through the wooden doors.
“Whatever the princess desires,” he said, and I flinched, not realizing he was right behind me.
My pace didn’t falter as I passed into the hallway. Whatever I desired, huh? We’d see about that.
As soon as we rounded the corner, and I knew we were out of earshot, I whirled around and shoved Sin into the wall before he could brace himself. “Okay, you want to tell me what the hell your fucking problem is? You absolutely knew who I was last night so what kind of shit are you trying to pull here?”
He grit his teeth, then pushed off against the wall, forcing me to step back. “You’re my problem, Rain,” he growled, keeping his voice low. “You being here is a great big problem.”
I scoffed. “Glad to see we’ve moved on from 'whatever the princess desires.' I knew your English was just fine.” I jabbedhim in the chest. “And how the hell is my being here such a problem? Everybody else seems pretty damned thrilled about it.”
“Oh yeah?” he mused, moving forward leisurely, like a panther stalking his prey, forcing me backward until I hit the opposite wall. He slammed a hand down near my face, but I didn’t flinch this time. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.
“Well I’m not everybody else,” he continued, leaning in closer until there was barely any space between us. “I want you gone. You don’t belong here.”
I tilted my chin up defiantly and said, with as much venom as I could summon, “I don’t want me to be here either, but since I’m stuck, I thought I might do some good in the meantime. Haven’t you heard? I’m the fucking savior.”
