Grave’s eyes raked down my body, and a sneer made its way across his face. His eyes slowly drew back up and landed on my hair, which rivaled his height.
His face lit up with amusement. “A very interesting choice in?—”
“Shut up.” I glowered and immediately frowned at my outburst. I had told a king to shut up. A king that Rivale depended on for resources.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” I said, dipping into a deep bow. “Your Majesty.”
“I told you how unnecessary this is,” he muttered, and waved a circle in my direction with his hand. “Bow if you must when your prince is around, but know that I don’t need you to.”
His hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, showing off the shaved sides of his head. A black jacket, trousers, and a silver silk shirt hugged his body, showing every line of him beneath the fabric. Silver strands of thread wrapped around the cuffs of his jacket sleeves and snaked down the sides of his trousers. He looked absolutely stunning, yet oddly terrifying—a mixture of threat and captivating appeal.
I stood. “You grimaced when you saw me.” I looked over the dress, worried I’d somehow put the gown on incorrectly.
He shrugged. “You’d look better in black and silver.”
My mouth hung open, words lost from both my mind and tongue.
Fisher cleared his throat behind me, and Grave arched an eyebrow at the guard before turning his attention back to me.
“Did he enjoy it?” the king asked.
My gaze stayed stuck on him, soaking in his amber-colored eyes I’d been so certain were once chocolate brown.
“Audryn,” Grave interrupted me from my stupor. “Did he like it?”
“Huh?” My mind was full of a thick fog that I could barely navigate my way through.
Grave’s almond eyes darted to Fisher and back to me. He drew a deep breath and looked at the guard once more before scanning my face. “Your father, did he like the book?”
“I uhm …” Words failed me. “I … don’t know. “
“This conversation is highly inappropriate. You are late. Youbothare.” Fisher cleared his throat again, and I felt him step to my side. “People will talk.”
“Let them,” Grave’s voice rumbled.
31
AUDRYN
The double doors opened, exposing the opulent hall I’d yet to dine in. A slow melody filled the air. Three men played stringed instruments in the distant corner of the room. A table—twice the size of the one where we normally sat—stood in the center, with two dozen chairs lining each side. Aqua cloth adorned with beaded edges lay draped across the wooden backs of the chairs.
An attendant occupied every corner of the room, each impeccably dressed and groomed. A chandelier hung center, composed of elaborate gold swirling metal in the shape of peaked waves. With flickering candles casting shadows against the tall walls and beautifully etched molding outlining the ceiling, the room was something out of a dream.
The conversation at the table halted, and all heads whipped in Grave’s and my direction. If I could vanish, I would—but I stood, weighed down in a gown at least twice my size.
“Don’t forget to bow to your prince or he’ll give you more marks to remember him by,” Grave muttered. “Or forget, and Zalzre will feast on the flesh of a royal tonight.”
Ryder stood, eyes darting between King Grave and me. Fuck,I should’ve waited in the hall and let Grave enter first. I was already late, so what would a few more minutes have cost me? Stepping forward, I apprehensively left the comfort of the nearby exit.
Keeping my eyes on Ryder, I closed the distance, my throat dry. I gave him a pleasant smile, but he remained scowling in the king’s direction. From the lack of footsteps, I had guessed Grave stayed waiting at the doors. Maybe he too was worried about the wrath we were about to face for our tardiness.
“Your Highness.” I averted my eyes downward and descended into a low bow, letting the skirts of the gown bubble out around me. When I rose, I found the prince scanning my exposed tattoo. And when his eyes landed on mine, I saw the threat behind them; if I thought he was angry at the workshop, whatever he was feeling now was worse. Silently, he gestured me to the vacant chair with the slightest flick of his head.
I hurried around the table, catching sight of Maris as I made my way. The pale skin around her left eye had a rosy glow, and bruising was forming around the edges. I hovered over the narrow chair below, centering myself before attempting to sit in the largest gown I’d ever worn. Grave took the seat directly across from me, and I didn’t dare look up.
Conversations resumed to a low hum as Ryder sat. With a heavy grip on my upper thigh, he leaned in and hissed, “What made you late, and why did you arrive withhim?”
In my periphery, the king stared on as the prince interrogated me, but I didn’t bother looking in his direction. My eyes remained on the empty plate in front of me while I contemplated my answer. Ryder saw what had made me late, and nothing would be enough for him.
