We were silent the rest of the way to the Royal Palace. Silent all through the long walk to the royal residence inside the palace, and all the way to the family dining room. It was empty when we arrived, the long table set with polished silverware, fine china, and crystal goblets. It stood directly beside a window-wall similar to the one in Tae's dining room and there were no seats on the side of the table next to the window so that everyone would have a view with their meal.
And the view was exceptional.
I strode past one of the thrones—there was one at each end of the table—to the glass wall and stared across the sparkling fae city. It looked so peaceful while inside me, harsh emotions churned. I could hear Taeven behind me; it sounded as if he was making himself a drink at the sideboard. A minute later, his hand appeared beside me, offering me a glass of wine.
I frowned at it. “No, thank you. I don't drink wine anymore.”
“Why not?”
Before I could answer, the royal family walked in. I turned at the sound of the door and followed Tae's lead to bow to the trio.
“Welcome, both of you,” the King said grandly. “Do you like the view, Valorian?”
“It's spectacular, Your Majesty,” I said.
“Yes, it is.” King Dehras grinned proudly. “Please, sit down.” He waved a hand at the table before pulling out a throne for his wife.
Meanwhile, Taeven set two glasses of wine down and hurried to pull out a chair for the Princess. She didn't have a throne, nor did she wear a crown—none of them did—but she sat straight in her seat, her chin lifted regally as if she did wear one. When she glanced at me, I met her gaze with open hostility.
And she flinched.
I looked away, giving her time to process my venom, but also took the seat right beside her, hemming her in between me and the Queen. “How are you tonight, Princess?” I asked in a tone similar to one she'd used on me the night she drugged me.
“Well,” she said. “Thank you for asking, Valorian.”
“Please, call me Shane. We're friends now, remember? Suchgoodfriends.”
Taeven shot me a confused look at my sharp tone as he sat on my other side, near the King.
I knew there was a possibility that the Princess was completely innocent of any wrongdoing, but I didn't think that was the case. Especially not with the frantic looks she was giving me. There was fear in her eyes. Fuck, Ava was right; I could twist her guilt to my advantage, make her think I had evidence even though I didn't. I just had to be careful. Choose my words specifically. So, I looked away again, right at her mother.
“And you look stunning this evening, Your Majesty,” I declared.
“Oh, thank you, Valorian.” The Queen preened. “How gallant of you to say so.”
“Thank you for having me here tonight. I'm honored.”
“Well, we've heard about your rapid advancement at the Academy, and I decided that we should celebrate,” the King said as a slew of servants tromped in and started ladling things onto our plates.
“That's kind of you, Your Majesty,” I said. “But I owe my success to my teacher, Mistress Avanla. She's amazing. Did you know that not only does she teach flight but also science? In particular, the mystic sciences.”
“Mystic sciences?” the Queen asked, her tone light.
Beside me, Sanasenne went deathly still.
“Yes, my dear, that's the study of natural things used for magical purposes, such as potions and the like,” the King explained.
“Oh, how fascinating!” the Queen exclaimed as she held her glass out presumptuously.
A servant rushed to fill it.
“It is indeed,” the King agreed, then started to eat—a sign that the rest of us could start as well.
“I certainly was fascinated by it,” I said dramatically to the Queen. “Especially after Mistress Avanla helped me with her science. I was having trouble remembering something, but she whipped up acurefor my amnesia,”—I paused to stare pointedly at Sanasenne, and she paled until she was the color of curdled milk—“and wouldn't you know it, I was right as rain in mere moments. All my memories returned in a flash.”
Tae went tense beside me. “You're awfully talkative tonight, Shane.”
“Oh, I'm feeling much more comfortable in my new home now, Tae.” I grinned at him, then at the King. “Thank you again for my estate, Your Majesty. I haven't gone to see it yet since I've been so busy at the Academy, but I will soon. Perhaps I'll even stay there awhile.” I slid a look at Tae that had him gaping at me. Then I looked back at the King to add, “I've never owned my own home.”
