Cygnus doesn’t reply—just stands abruptly, looking over my shoulder, and dips into a bow. “Hello, Your Highness.”
Panic stabs through me as I realize I’m half hoping and half dreading it’s Finn. But when I wheel around, I’m disappointed to find it’s the princess of Ursandor sauntering toward us.
I bang my knee on the table as I rise, attempting a curtsy. “Your Highness.”
“Oh, come on,” Sandria huffs. “Drop the formality, will you? When you call me Your Highness, I feel like a governess.”
I study the princess warily as she sinks into a chair beside me. She’s wearing a silver gown today with billowy sleeves and a neckline that sweeps invitingly off both her shoulders. Her corset is embroidered with layered pine trees—Ironwoods, I assume, considering their significance as the number one export of Ursandor. At the feast, I found Sandria charming. But nothing in this castle is quite as it seems. I wonder now if that charm is a well-made trap. I can’t read intention in those violet eyes.Is she someone who would unleash a plague?
“I can’t picture you as a governess,” says Cygnus, casually covering the books we were reading.
“True.” She purses her full lips. “I’d befartoo corrupting to innocent minds.” Sandria leans back and appraises us. “Are we working on a groundbreaking medical discovery this morning? Or have I interrupted a date?”
Cygnus almost chokes.
“It’s not a date,” I say very quickly, my face growing hot.What’s she playing at?
“Really?” Her eyebrows rise, and she looks between us. “I can see it.”
I think she’s baiting me, and I don’t like it. She can’t possibly be threatened by my existence. Sitting next to Sandria makes me feel like a cuckoo among songbirds. Except maybeshe’sthe cuckoo in this situation, scheming to toss me out of the nest.
“Is there something we can do for you, Princess?” asks Cygnus.
Sandria smiles. “As a matter of fact, there is. I’d like to invite Lyria to accompany me to Sebastian’s name day party in Easton.” She looks at me pointedly.
The invitation has me taken aback. “You want what?”
Sandria sighs, like I’ve caused her great inconvenience with my question.
“The Thornes are throwing a party for Prince Sebastian this weekend, and I’m inviting you to join me. I’d like you to ride in my carriage. You can bring along a friend if you’d like. You don’t have any other plans, correct? I assume there’s nothing else important happening around here.”
I am not sure how to respond. I suspect I can’t refuse a princess without attracting ire. But the idea of extended confinement with Sandria makes my skin crawl. What if her intention is to sabotage my efforts at making the cure?
“Thank you, but I don’t think Cygnus can spare me at the hospital right now,” I say, shooting him a pleading look.
Cygnus’s eyes dance with something unfamiliar, and I swear he smiles as he says, “Actually, I think the hospital will be fine without you.”
I glare back at him.Asshole.
“Well, then it’s settled,” says the princess, clapping her hands together. “Our carriage leaves at dawn, so meet us inthe forecourt before then. Don’t eat too big of a breakfast—the Verdish roads areheinous. You won’t want to get sick.”
I’m opening my mouth to protest as she fixes one of her radiant smiles on Cygnus.
“I hope you’ll be joining the party as well?”
He clears his throat. “Unfortunately, I’ve got too much on my plate to take the time off. But I wish you both a terrific time, and I’ll be eager to hear all about it.”
Sandria looks disappointed, and I think it’s the first time I’ve seen her express a genuine emotion. “Hmm. Well, you’ll be missed.”
Does she actuallylikeCygnus?The wonders of this castle never cease.
Quickly schooling her features back to her disarming smile, Sandria stands. “See you tomorrow, Lyria.” With a wink and an expert toss of her glossy black hair, she slinks away.
I turn a glare on Cygnus, who is barely withholding laughter.
“I don’t see what’s so funny,” I grumble, once she’s out of earshot.
He just grins. “Gods, youhateher, don’t you?”
