“Do you like your cabinet?” It was a brazen question, but Aric didn’t seem to care much for etiquette.
“Does anyone like their cabinet?” was his dry reply.
As the next petition began, a servant came over with a platter of drinks. Aric plucked two from the gold tray and offered one to me. I took it so I’d have a prop to hide my fidgeting, then angled my legs toward him.
Harthon didn’t seem to notice, engaged in his conversation.
For this fight and the next two, Aric and I discussed the men on the floor and their tactics. Or should I say, Aric discussed their tactics, while I observed and tried to pick out what I could apply to my own training. Each battle ended in a brutal surrender, to which Aric would nod in approval.
Maybe he didn’t find joy in senseless deaths.
When a new set of men entered the arena, Harthon still hadn’t acknowledged my position. I leaned on the armrest next to Aric and felt the fabric at my chest slightly gape. That, too, was ignored.
I glanced at Aric, whose sole focus was on the swordplay. When he said, “Watch how he waits. He’s searching for weakness,” my confidence wavered, because it seemed that Aric wasn’t playing the game.
Maybe it’s because he’s a Princeps who needs food for his Territory and wishes to maintain his alliance.
Eying the wine in my cup, I drained it.Thatmanaged to capture the attention of both Princepes, as well as a blue-eyed noble who, until now, had been deep in conversation with two others.
“The wine is watered,” the stranger said, sauntering over. His voice was deep and assured, reflecting the confidence in his gait. “It allows us to stretch our cellars. Though, it also means you must drink more of it to taste the grape.”
Appearing to be around Harthon’s age, he was handsome—far more handsome than any of our own cabinet members. He lay somewhere between rugged and refined, stubble coating his jaw, face lightly tanned from being outdoors, a wide chest hinting at muscle, gold chains indicating his status.
“Ah, Matthias,” Aric said warmly, though that warmth fell short of his eyes. “Meet Etarla, the lovelymagvis.”
Matthias flashed a dazzling smile and bowed. He smelled of a perfume that reminded me of the woods. He graciously offered his hand, and I took it, surprised to feel hard calluses on his skin.
He lifted my hand and kissed it. “It is a pleasure, Etarla.” His thumb brushed across my fingers before releasing them.
Harthon was still engaged in his conversation, but I could feel the weight of his gaze. Some of my broken confidence pieced back together.
“Are you enjoying the Petition?” Matthias asked, probably because I still hadn’t responded to him.
Clearing my throat, I offered him a friendly smile. “I am,” I lied. “Though it was unexpected. I have never heard of this type of tradition before.”
A grunt emanated from the arena. Matthias pivoted to view the action. “It can appear rather barbaric, I know.” He turned back to me and lifted his cup to his lips, speaking over the rim. “But it is good for our men, and good for our people. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a good fight?”
Me, along with those who value life.
I choked down the natural response. Matthias’ eyes were wandering as he drank, not in a leering way, but in subtle looks that went beyond the cool politeness typical of nobility.
He was interested, and that interest was a tool.
One I didn’t quite know how to use.
I was better at fighting than flirting, and considering how sorely unequipped I was in battle…
Stop. You can do this.
“I—”
“Tell me—”
It was impossible to hope Harthon hadn’t heard our jumble of awkward sounds. Blades clashed on the battlefield, and I momentarily wished I could be transported right between them.
Matthias recovered easily, clearly practiced in speaking with socially inept women. “My apologies,” he offered easily. I waved his apology away, because I needed a temporary break from using words.
“I did not mean to speak over you, nor did I mean to speak so flippantly about battle.” Wincing, he shook his head. “I’ve participated in my fair share of fights, and I know your Territory recently engaged in one against Third. I recognize they aren’t all for sport.”
