She didn’t respond and looked almost sad. Perhaps she was upset he’d chosen me over her. Little did she know, I’d give anything to be in her position.
“You’ll have your dress fitting after breakfast.” Ryder passed the tray containing the salty creature, which I promptly handed off to the woman next to me. “And then you’ll meet with Leanna to go over cake options with Draven.”
“I’d like my father to attend the fitting.” I lifted my chin and attempted my best impression of having some semblance of a choice in the matter.
“No, your father will spend the day with me. Maris will be in attendance since your mother …” Ryder almost seemed thoughtful enough to search for the right words. “Well, she’s …”
“Dead.” I filled in the sentence for him.
“‘Yes,” he reluctantly concurred. “Maris recommended the person conducting the fitting. And?—“
“Is it—” My voice halted the instant Maris kicked me under the table.
Ryder continued without skipping a beat. “She will be your bridesmaid. My guests will see both of the women I care about standing at my side..”
My mouth hung open, jaw nearly coming unhinged until I forced it shut. “Will you be saying your vows to her too? Perhaps sharing the same bed?”
The words hadn’t come from a place of jealousy. I was more shocked to hear that he’d force us to stand in front of everyone who knew he’d courted the both of us. Maybe I could convincehim to let me out of our arrangement, and he could just marry her. Then I’d take Col up on his offer.
The man had done nothing but embrace me while I’d continuously pushed him away. Suddenly I wished he hadn’t listened to me when Ryder showed up demanding I return. I wished Amalee had unleashed her rot on every single guard Ryder brought with him, possibly even on Fisher.
Though I was still grappling with the feelings of his true identity. I’d gotten to know him well, and if what he said was true, he might’ve been the king’s victim just as much as my brother had been. But it hadn’t excused his involvement, and the revelation didn’t undo Kamden’s death.
“Afterwards, Leanna will go over the flowers she has chosen for the ceremony and reception, all blue and aquamarine of course.” Ryder chuckled to himself. “The cake is going to be adorned with blue frosting. It’s a little trick Draven has come up with using the colors from several types of fruit.”
I scooped a big spoonful of potatoes and gestured them out to my father, but he shook his head. Only a single piece of untouched fish sat on his plate, and the only reason it was there was because Ryder had plopped it down. Grabbing two biscuits, I put one on my plate and reached across to put the other on my father’s. He only eyed me but didn’t reach for it.
“Maris will be wearing a lovely blue dress,” Ryder gushed. “She looks ravishing in it.” He dipped his chin at me and then swiped his eyes over to my left. “And out of it.”
“How lovely,” I muttered. “I do hope you include that compliment to my maid in your vows.”
“So lovely,” Maris mocked. She wasn’t happy with Ryder’s arrangement either.
For the next thirty minutes, we ate in silence. My father barely finished the single biscuit that made it to his plate and refused to touch the fish, despite his affinity for the creature. I’d made up forthe long travel I withstood and ate more food than I should’ve been able to fit in my shrunken stomach. My belly was heavy and pushed over the waistband of my pants by the time I rose.
“I’ll see you later today.” I leaned in and hugged my father. “We’ll find time to talk. I promise.”
Maris and I were led to a private dressing room in the royal quarters. A large bedroom was attached to an en suite bathing room and a sitting room next door. The space was vast and looked to be empty for quite some time, though there wasn’t a single speck of dust on the shelves or furniture. Half a dozen dresses hung nearby with a large mirror placed against the wall. A circular platform was on the floor in the center with two chairs flanking.
The guard walked out the door, and I turned to Maris. “Why did you kick me? I was going to ask if you recommended Benton’s husband.”
“Which was exactly why I kicked you, you genius.” She rolled her eyes. “Do you think Ryder would be happy to know Orion was the husband of your close family friend? He’s also someone who knew Kamden.” Maris sat back in a chair and crossed her arms over her chest.
I drew back. Hearing my brother’s name from her lips wasn’t something I expected, even though most of our neighborhood knew of his death. Not wanting to start a fight, I ignored her statement and searched for the right words.
“Look, I don’t want you here any more than you want to be here.”
“You have no idea,” she said.
I clicked my tongue. “Then let’s get through this and hope the land opens up and swallows us both before Friday.”
The smallest chuckle escaped her mouth right before the door opened.
Maris stood immediately and sighed. “I need to findsomewhere to be, other than here.” She walked out, leaving Orion and me alone in the enormous space.
“Looking wonderful as always.” I threw out my arms and wrapped them around my friend’s husband. “You can’t possibly know how glad I am to see you!”
“Honestly, I’m a little shocked to be here.” Orion looked up at the ceiling and slowly turned. “This place is incredible. I don’t know why Maris referred me, but I’m grateful for it.” His gaze met mine, and he squinted. “You good here?”
