Everyone’s reaction was quite different. Karwyn almost seemed annoyed, though his face was void of emotion. Rhay was leaning against the stone wall, arms crossed as if bored. Amira had retreated to the door as if she was about to run away.
“That is enough,” Karwyn commanded.
Wryen didn’t stop; he looked over his shoulder at the king before locking on Amira. “I’m sure my little sister is enjoying the show, aren’t you?” He grinned before slowly decreasing the flames and turning his attention back to Karwyn. “Too bad Lora is the one who got your father’s and uncle’s fire powers.”
Uncle.Her biological father. He had fire powers like her. It made sense, yet it took Lora by surprise. Had he been mad with power when he had tried to kill his brother? If Karwyn was even telling the truth. It didn’t seem likely that her biological father would have actually been banished and not killed on the spot. Even though he’d never cared about her existence, the thought still pained her.
“You might have forgotten, Wryen, I hold two high-level powers. I am hardly at a disadvantage. But some of us do not feel the need to brag,” Karwyn replied with a sly grin. “Keep playing fire games if you want, I have court matters to attend to.”
Before Karwyn could leave the room, a servant entered. “Your Majesty, I was sent to inform you that King Tarnan Ellevarn has arrived.”
“Send Nouis to greet him, I am in no mood,” Karwyn replied, stone-faced.
“I will go,” Rhay said, stepping forward. “Lora and I are finished anyway.”
Karwyn nodded briefly. Rhay glanced at Lora, flashing her a quick smile. “It’s a good start, love. I’ll see you at dinner.” And with one last glance at Amira, Rhay left the room in a hurry.
Wryen was whispering something to Amira as Karwyn walked up to Lora. He leaned in close, lowering his voice. “Be careful tonight, cousin,” he said. “I want everyone to be moved by your little story about how I took you in after all those years your rotten mother has kept you hidden away. If you want to call your family anytime soon, you better give the performance of yourshortlife.”
His voice felt like nails scratching her body, leaving her wounded. Lora made herself look into those turquoise eyes she had become all too familiar with. “Are you going to read my mind to see if I’ll behave?”
Karwyn’s eyes narrowed, and Lora almost regretted her words. She wanted all the cards laid out in front of her, but she might have forced herself into another losing game.
“I do not need to, little cousin. I know you do not wish to force my hand.”
Lora broke their staring contest. “I’ll behave.” When she looked up again, Karwyn seemed pleased, like he’d won yet again. But Lora didn’t see it that way.
If Karwyn could read her mind, he would have done so anyway. She had provoked him and he hadn’t taken the bait. He didn’t have that kind of self-control. Which meant, just like Rhay, Karwyn couldn’t read her. Lora would’ve smiled at that revelation, but she couldn’t give anything away.
“The guard will show you to your room,” Karwyn said to Lora, louder this time.
Wryen released his grip on Amira’s arm as he turned to the king. “I’ll take my leave too. I will see you later, dear sister. I hope your training will improve, Princess Lora.” The last words were mocking at best.
As the two kings left the room, Amira stepped to the door as well. Before she could leave, Lora called out, “I’m sorry about last night if I said anything to offend you.” Lora didn’t know how Amira fit into the web of relationships here at court, but she didn’t want to alienate any connections.
Amira froze but didn’t turn around. “I don’t care for your apology. Just know that Rhay won’t stay your friend for long. Neither will anyone else in this palace.” Her voice carried a veil of sadness that confused Lora even more. Amira was the future Queen of Turosian. Why did she seem so upset every time Lora had seen her? Did she know what kind of fae she was marrying?
The princess didn’t give Lora a chance to ask as she hurried out of the room. Lora went to follow her, but a guard was already waiting at the door to escort Lora back to her room.
How could Lora gain the upper hand if she couldn’t figure out what was going on in the palace?
Chapter11
Amira
Karwyn’s grating laugh hurt Amira’s ears. She wished nothing more than to push her fork through his throat in the middle of the contest dinner. Ever since his selection for the High King Contest, he’d walked around the palace like he had already won. Amira couldn’t stand his smug smile as he introduced his cousin, Princess Loraine, sporting some dramatic story about how he had saved her. It sounded false to Amira’s ears.
She looked at the new member of court sitting a few seats away from her. Amira shivered, thinking about the girl’s power.Fire.Nothing good could come of such power.
Her brother was sitting at another table with members of the Allamyst court, her former home. No one had talked to her. Amira didn’t care; they were all strangers to her, they always had been, thanks to Wryen keeping her isolated.
After making sure her brother was not watching her, Amira drank her glass of iridos. The dinner in preparation for the second phase of the contest was such a pain. All three contestants were to host a dinner. Of course, Karwyn was the first one.
Karwyn turned his head as Amira finished her drink. His smile seemed to be mocking her. Yet she smiled back, the picture of perfect happiness. Acouplewhose talent for faking politeness was greater than their mutual hate.
The image of Nalani came back to Amira so fast that it almost made her dizzy, and her smile turned sour. A deep pain snuck back into her heart, the leftover fortae in her system wearing off.
Amira gestured to one of the waiters for more iridos. She felt Karwyn’s gaze on her while she emptied her glass. When she looked back at him, Amira caught him staring at his cousin. Karwyn whispered something in Loraine’s ear. The young fae’s smile widened. A fake smile, Amira was sure.
