He brought his face close, his eyes flashing with something like accusation. “Because we both know you aren’t staying here, Fea Remia. The sooner you leave, the better for everyone.”
My teeth clenched. I’d allowed myself to think maybe, just maybe, he could be someone worth getting to know. First impressions never lie, though, and he was nothing more than a heartless asshole.
Keeping my eyes fixed on his and my voice as low as possible, I said, “Yeah, well fuck you too, Sin. Why are you the only one in this damned place who is so set on me leaving as soon as possible? Don’t you want me to fix the lines? Save your world?”
He snorted derisively. “Everything comes at a cost, Fea Remia. Maybe I’m not willing to pay the price required just so everyone here can have more magic.”
I blinked at him. No one had said anything about a cost to me. Though it did make sense that if the dark forest was truly dangerous then people might get injured or die helping to get me though. Maybe he honestly cared about his soldiers and wanted to protect them. The idea of Sin actually caring about other people felt absurd, but if it was true—if he hated me for the knowledge that I was dragging his men off to potential death—then maybe I was a little hasty in my decision to pursue the mission.
Then I recalled what Cam and Ram told me about the imminarios and their segregation. This was about more than stopping the plague. It was also about restoring the magic to everyone, not just the privileged.
“No price is too high to pay for equality among the people,” I hissed.
His eyes narrowed. “Spoken like a true idealist. Tell me, Fea Remia, when did you start to care about others? I thought you always looked out for number one?”
My retort died on my lips because he wasn’t wrong. Back in Jersey I literally only cared about Jenn. Even the guys I dated ranked lower than a decent grilled cheese sandwich in terms of my affection.
Before I could tell him where to stick his assessment of me, a heavy silence settled over the room. I tore my eyes away from Sin to see not only my father but the entire table observing us closely.
“Raynella,” my father said with barely contained annoyance. “Would you care to stand and say hello?”
Crap. How long had everyone been watching our argument?
I reluctantly rose to my feet. The number of people staring at me threatened to kick off another panic attack, but I forced it down. I told my father I would do this, and so I would. I wiped my sweaty hands on the soft material of my dress and summoned a wan smile.
The faces staring back at me ranged in expression from adulation (that was a young female with short red curls that reminded me of Jenn) all the way down the spectrum to outright hostility (that was the two advisors across the table from me). Most landed on haughty indifference, and that was fine with me.
I gave a little wave, then hurriedly sat back down. My father seemed satisfied with that because he gave one more booming proclamation, and everyone settled back into the chairs. Servants spilled into the room with plates of food, and my awkwardness was soon forgotten as people indulged in conversation with those around them.
I focused on stuffing food in my face, hoping I could get out of this situation quickly and painlessly.
My father leaned over and asked, without dropping his kingly smile, “Raynella, why is Deylan not sitting beside you? He was supposed to escort you to dinner this evening.”
I gave him an innocent look. “Was he? How strange. When I left my room I only came across Sin here, and since you were so keen on me working with him, I only assumed he would be an excellent dinner companion. Was I wrong to make such an assumption? If so, I deeply apologize.”
Anybody who spent more than ten minutes with me could hear the mockery dripping from my words, but my father hadn’t picked up on my nuances yet.
“Of course. Cennux Dreisin is an excellent choice. It was just a bit surprising as Deylan is usually seated at my side. He is my Foster after all.”
I dropped my eyes to my lap, doing my best to look remorseful. “Of course, Father. I didn’t mean to cause a disruption. I am so new to all of this. Perhaps I shouldn’t come to these dinners any more. I don’t want to embarrass you with my ignorant ways.” At this point I might be laying it on too thick, but it was a shot I had to take.
“No, no, Raynella. It is quite all right. In fact, I think it would be best if you dined with the court from now on. It will help prepare you for the King’s Council banquet.”
“Come again?” My head whipped up, and my beautifully constructed act dropped away completely.
“You are my daughter, Raynella. Your presence at the Council banquet is mandatory. My search for you has been well known throughout the land. Attendees from all three courts will be excited to meet you.”
My mouth opened and closed as I gaped at him like a dying fish.
“You will have a wonderful time,” he continued. “The King's Council happens only once every hundred years, and we are lucky to be hosting it. There had been talks of moving it to the Gold Court after that… debacle we had with the Silver Court some years back.”
Beside me, Sin choked on a red vegetable, but my father paid him no mind.
“We simply must have you there, Raynella,” he continued as if his Cennux wasn’t dying on the other side of me. “You will not be required at the morning meeting, of course, but your absence would be noted if you did not attend the Elemental Games or the banquet. And of course there is the ball afterward.” He paused. “That does remind me, we will need to get a tailor here immediately to fit you for your gown. Your tiara is being fashioned as we speak by some of the finest terriservians inthe whole of Rivella, and your dress will need to be just as extravagant.”
“You know,” I said casually, suppressing the soul deep urge to run as fast and as far as my legs could take me, “I always thought hell would be hotter. More demons and pitchforks, you know? I guess this works too.”
I heard a coughing sound, and turned to see Sin choking again, this time on the water he had been drinking. I gave him a wicked smile. “Manners, Sin. You’re at a royal function after all. You should try to be more refined.”
