She told me her husband was unable to attend dinner due to some business on his land near the border between Solvardunn and Vicaster. Solvardunn had not yet been touched by the war raging throughout Anerdor, Livia explained, but some believedit was only a matter of time. In the event of an attack from the south, Lord Hywell’s land would be used as an outpost.
I had no idea that there was a war raging across the mortal continent. How could I? Though it came as news to me, I gave nothing away. I listened intently, nodding along and silently praying that no one would notice my ignorance.
Unfortunately, I learned little else. Following a tense exchange between Tarben and the king over the prospect of war encroaching upon Solvardunn—the king believed it was unlikely, Tarben seemed to think otherwise—all talk of warfare was swiftly quashed. Guests were more than happy to discuss the upcoming ball and recount tales of past soirées. It was clear they expected me to be scandalized, but, truthfully, their parties sounded mild compared to Mer gatherings. Still, I played along, joking that I didn’t know whether to be excited or worried.
As dinner drew to a close, it came time for me to be escorted back to my bedchamber, but not before an insistence from Livia that we have tea together. I welcomed the idea. It would be good to have an ally here.
On the other end of the spectrum, it seemed I had already made an enemy of Oriane. She made her loathing of me quite plain with her parting words: “How wonderful it was to make your acquaintance. And try not to fret about the ball, your seamstress will get it right next time, I’m sure.”
Tarben merely brushed my hand with his lips and said, “I’ll send word from your dashing young resident.” His eyes danced roguishly. I was admittedly disappointed that, beyond our walk to dinner, we had barely spoken all night. But it was nothing to fret over, if everything went according to plan.
Back in my bedchamber, my head had barely hit my pillow before I was drifting into a deep slumber, dreaming of wars waged in faraway lands and birds with beautiful faces.
Chapter 13
The next morning began much the same as the day before, with Runa waking me with a tray of breakfast.
After devouring the contents of the tray, I dressed while relaying the events of my evening to her. I didn’t mention my flirtation with the prince or my less-than-pleasant experience with Oriane, although it didn’t escape my notice that the maid’s lips became a thin line when I mentioned her name.
“Are you familiar with Lady Oriane?” I asked carefully. I was seated before the mirror while she braided my hair into a coronet.
“I am.” A pause, and then, “I know her by face only.”
“She is beautiful.”
“She is, but…” She trailed off uncomfortably.
“But what?” I kept my tone nonchalant.
In the mirror, I could see the maid biting her lip. “I don’t want to speak out of turn, but Lady Oriane is known amongst the servants to be one of the more…demandingresidents of the castle. They say she seeks a betrothal with Prince Tarben.”
I knew it!I would have to be a simpleton not to have noticed how she had flirted with him, how she had touched his shoulder as if discreetly claiming him.
“And how does the prince feel?” I asked, studying myself in the mirror as though I were not burning with curiosity.
“I hear the prince does not return her affection. Although they say the king has been pressuring him to select a bride.”
At least Oriane was not a threat. “Does he have his eye on anyone?”
“It’s doubtful, Miss. His Highness is known to,” she paused, searching for the right words, “enjoy the company of beautiful ladies, but he’s not publicly courted anyone.”
Until now.So the prince wasn’t one to engage in the formalities of courtship. Neither was I. And I certainly hadn’t been in love.
That wasn’t to say I was lacking in experience when it came to males. I’d had my flirtations and a string of lovers, but nothing that lasted more than a few weeks. That was the amount of time it took for my interest to wane, no matter how attractive the male was. The problem was, ending things was always so unpleasant, especially with the two mermen who had proposed to me. They’d taken it the hardest. Although it shouldn’t have come as a shock—I’d made no secret of the fact that I was not interested in anything serious.
The idea of being tethered to another was not appealing. Not when my endless years meant I would spend centuries—millennia—having to gaze at the same face every day. I’d sooner kiss a blobfish.
I had reached the conclusion that I wasn’t capable of romantic love, but it didn’t bother me. Falling in love did not seem to bode well for the females in my family. My mother’s fate was evidence of that. She had given up everything for love and was rewarded with a visit from death and a child she would never know.
So I gave my heart to no one and spared myself the kiss of death and the chains of devotion. A fair bargain I made with myself, and one I’d upheld without exception.
All that being said, Tarben had met his match in me. MaybeOriane could be the one to offer him comfort once I was finished with him.
I met her eye in the mirror. “I won’t repeat a word of what you’ve told me, I swear it.” Her shoulders relaxed.
Once she had secured the final pin in my hair, I said, “I promised I would join Lady Livia for tea. Could you inquire if she is available today?”
Her eyes widened. “Certainly. And if you don’t mind me saying so, I’m pleased to hear that you are making friends. The castle can be a lonely place.”
