His father shook his head. “We have more serious issues.”
“Clothes are a serious affair. You wouldn’t want the king’s only cousin to show up in last season’s clothes,” Rhay joked, yet he got no reaction.Tough crowd.Did Karwyn see his effort to be more involved? Rhay had shown up to this meeting, and he was sober for once. Sort of. Didn’t that count for something?
Karwyn straightened his back. “Fine, you can choose her outfit. But I need you to be sober for our trip. No partying tonight. The masquerade ball when we get back should give you plenty of excitement.”
There was never enough excitement in this palace to counter the eerie feeling pulling at Rhay’s mind more and more every day.
“Has there been any word from Amira?” his father interrupted.
“I have heard very little from her,” Saydren replied. Originally from Emerlane, the royal healer had spent his whole childhood in Carnylen before finding employment in the Adelways’ court. He had been put in charge of communicating with Amira, to Rhay’s relief. The less he had to interact with her, the easier it was to hide her secret and get her off his mind.
Rhay hoped that everything was running smoothly between the princess and the strange fortae dealer Rio had found. Even though letting the girl go with Amira as her maid hadn’t been Rhay’s idea, the trader hadn’t seemed too delighted by his own suggestion. The first time Rhay had brought up needing fortae, Rio had looked appalled, but Rhay had won him over in the end.
“Amira couldn’t tell useful information from a brick,” Karwyn said. Saydren hid a smile. If Rhay was close to Karwyn’s heart, Saydren was close to his mind, pushing him towards darkness.
Karwyn turned in his silver armchair. “Nouis, I hope everything is ready for our journey to Quarnian.”
“It is, my king, I will not disappoint you,” Rhay’s father replied, his gaze anchored in Karwyn’s.
“And I’ve—” Saydren started before being cut off by Karwyn, rising from his chair.
“Good, I would not expect any less from you. We are done here,” Karwyn proclaimed.
“Shouldn’t we—” Saydren started, but Karwyn interrupted him once again.
“Let us talk in private later,” Karwyn said, dismissing the other advisors and Saydren. Rhay was about to get up when Karwyn put his hand on his shoulder. “Stay. We have to talk,” Karwyn said, his eyes serious, never playful as they used to be when they were children.
The king waited until the others had left before saying, “I have been thinking about your role at court.”
A thin veil of sweat lined Rhay’s back. Was this the point when the veil over his eyes would have to come undone? He didn’t think he could bear it; he had been denying this moment would come. First Amira and now Lora, their presences were wreaking havoc in Rhay’s perfect world.Peace of mind?There was no such thing anymore.
“I do not think I have been using you to the best of your abilities,” Karwyn said. “I have a new task for you. One that will fit you perfectly.”
The tension in his muscles eased, and Rhay’s breathing turned calmer. “What would you have me do? Design a new uniform for the guards? Cook the winner’s feast when you’re crowned high king?”
“I want you to plan my wedding. I am sure Amira would have complete faith in your taste.” Karwyn’s tone was even, but Rhay could hear the underlying pleasure his friend seemed to be taking from Rhay’s discomfort.
“I already told you, you no longer need to marry Amira now that you have Lora by your side. I’m making progress training her,” Rhay replied as his hand pressed against the arm of his chair. A cold feeling settled in his heart. Karwyn knew what he was doing, what he was asking. He was testing him, seeing if Rhay was over hisfriendshipwith the princess.
“Even so, I do not believe she will ever be a true princess.” Karwyn’s eyes darkened for a second. “You cannot change my mind about this. Your father agrees that keeping to my word and marrying Amira is in my best interest for my image. You should feel honoured to plan the biggest event of the year. As gratitude, I will excuse you from the next court meetings,” Karwyn added with a knowing smile.
Amira would see it as a betrayal, Rhay was sure of it. He knew how much she didn’t want to marry Karwyn, and in his heart, he couldn’t ignore the reasons why she shouldn’t. Rhay considered pushing him further, but maybe Karwyn was giving him the out Rhay desperately needed. Maybe he could be an advisor without having to open his eyes fully.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” Rhay said as he pushed back a strand of his pastel blue hair, already picturing the bar he was going to visit after this to forget the wedding altogether.
“Excellent.” A smile turned the corners of Karwyn’s lips. Rhay couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d played right into Karwyn’s hands. “I am glad to know I can finally count on you.”
Deep in his heart, Rhay knew Karwyn’s words shouldn’t move him as much as they did.
* * *
Sitting at the bar in Caligo later that evening, Rhay knocked back his shot, letting the warm liquid coat his throat. If there was no party at the palace tonight, Rhay would seek one in Chrysa instead. And he knew just the companion for it.
Leaning in towards the fae next to him, Rhay playfully pushed a dark strand of hair away from Rio’s face. The trader turned bright pink, much to Rhay’s joy.
“I hope you won’t miss me too much while I’m away,” Rhay said, signalling the bartender for two more shots. “But don’t worry, love, once I’m back, I’ll throw a party for the ages.” He winked at Rio. “The annual masquerade ball is coming up in two days, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.”
“I’d love to go,” Rio replied with too much excitement. “I mean, if I’m invited,” he corrected himself, as nonchalant as he could muster.
