“Do you envision a different future for Mensnet?” Theo asked. If Luke thought he could come into his home and steal his sister, he was mistaken.
“I do,” he answered. “My father, as most know, is unwell. I’ll be assuming the throne sooner than expected. But I’ve prepared for the moment and decided what I’ll do differently. The Duchess of Ebonmaw and I are already in discussions regarding reopening Mensnet’s mines. I intend to begin mining the onyxbone and using the resources Ebonmaw offers to begin trade negotiations for the material.”
“You refused to come to our aid and now wish for our trade resources? The mines haven’t even been operational for hundreds of years. Is there any onyxbone left?” Theo had heard rumors of the strange material but had never seen a piece of armor or weapon fashioned from it. If the mines had been closed hundreds of years ago, it would have been for good reason.He shot a look of disdain toward Helen, but her smirk faded, and she returned his glower.
“Luke and I are excited for this new venture to bring our kingdoms closer together, and the kings have already bestowed their blessings,” Helen stated.
“Your father’s people won’t allow change as easily as you presume they might,” Theo threw at Luke. “It takes years to build trust.”
“As his heir,” the young prince finally snipped, “I’ve been by his side my entire life, and I’ve gained my own following. This, however, is a celebration. We should be enjoying the festivities instead of squabbling over politics.”
Theo turned to Genevieve, ignoring Luke’s attempt to sway the conversation. “When are you planning to tell Adelaide?”
She waved him off and emitted a nervous laugh. “Oh, Theodoric, there are always formalities to deal with first. We’ll inform her when it’s time. I would like her to get to know Prince Luke first.”
“You don’t plan to tell her?” Theo sent her an accusing glare. Their betrothal was nothing more than a political stunt to strengthen the ties with Mensnet for the onyxbone.
“When the time is right.” Genevieve smiled, like a queen knowing full well the implications it would cause for all of them.
Theo would either be forced to keep it from Adelaide, knowing she would be walking into a trap set by their parents, or he would tell her and risk further retribution from his father.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Theo muttered.
He was going to be sick. The mere thought of hiding the betrothal from her was unbearably nauseating. Once she wed the prince, she’d venture to Mensnet and become his queen. His stomach lurched. He couldn’t fathom what Luana Bay would be like without her. He’d always hoped, one day, she’d finally stand beside him as a soldier, but now that dream might never come to fruition.But she’d be a queen.
Lost to his thoughts, it took him a moment to notice Adelaide standing beside him after he’d stormed to a nearby corner in an attempt to bring himself back to reality. He jumped once he caught sight of her.
“She’s over there.” With a knowing smirk, Adelaide pointed to Amaris, who was in the unfortunate company of Alan. Theo turned, but Adelaide placed a hand on his arm. “I don’t think Alan knows it’s her.”
As neither of them had a knife pulled or fists balled, he could only presume Alan didn’t. “Thank you,” Theo said, but his voice wavered.
“Is everything all right?” she asked.
The moment had come to decide—defy his parents and tell Adelaide everything or face the consequences later. His back throbbed at the thought of another lashing. “Yes. I was only forced to face the absolute boredom of meeting some of Genevieve’s friends.”
It could wait for one night. They needed to see to their plan to smuggle Amaris out first, and then he’d deal with the betrothal situation. He’d never killed someone out of pure enjoyment, but he didn’t think Adelaide would mind if her betrothed ended up missing after the Conjugation. Bennet already claimed treason once, what was another accusation?
“In that case, here.” She handed him a glass of kusu.
He hadn’t the charisma to thank her properly, so he answered with a simple nod before taking a long drink.
“I’ve been dodging Mother for the last hour. I have no doubt it’s to see if I find anyone suitable. Do you think she’ll be annoyed or see it coming when I roll my eyes and flatly decline anyone she sends my way?” Adelaide laughed.
He almost spit out his drink. His chest ached at her laughter, knowing the situation was unlike the other parties Adelaide had been forced to attend to see who she deemed a likely husband. The wheels were set in motion, and Adelaide was about to be dragged into a rough political landscape.
How could he get her out of it? It wasn’t like he had any true poweragainst his father. Would he be unable to stop it? What if none of them truly had a say in the matter of their lives? His shred of hope for something different when Luther riled him up last week slowly seeped away.
What life did he want? Did he want to be chief or to even pick up his sword again? His eyes trailed to Amaris, who bit the edge of her thumb as she appeared more bored than angered in her conversation with Alan. What did he want?
“Theo?” Adelaide’s sharp elbow landed between his ribs. Even through the makeup and wardrobe, he knew what Adelaide was, a warrior. She likely had a few weapons strapped underneath her dress. Once she was married, her dream of becoming a soldier would be gone forever.
He took her hand, as he once did many years ago. Back then, he’d pulled her from her bed late in the night. He’d been thirteen at the time and had been in the awkward stage of beginning puberty. His voice had broken, but Adelaide had been most eager to follow him.
“Where are we going?” Adelaide had asked.
Theo slinked around the next corner but turned over his shoulder and gave his sister a wide smile. “Your first training lesson.”
A shrill escaped her as she clapped her hands.
