“Remember: You’re a Demarr,” he said quietly.
Arvel was almost upon us, doing an excellent impression of an unstoppable force.
Solentine frowned, as if puzzled.
“Step away from her,” Arvel ordered.
“Or what?” Solentine asked.
Arvel’s eyes narrowed. Getting into a brawl during Sauven’s special party would create difficulties even for him.
“My lady, this man is a notorious cad. You are not safe in his company. His very proximity may tarnish your reputation.”
“Trust me, I’m well aware of his reputation.” I glanced at Solentine. “It is a frequent topic of discussion at our dinner table.”
“His intentions are base,” Arvel said.
“My intentions are pure as fresh snow,” Solentine said. “Since we are on the subject of intentions, Lord Arvel, what are your intentions toward my cousin?”
“Your cousin?”
“Are you saying that you invited her here, claimed the first dance, and then chased her through the castle without knowing her family name?”
Arvel narrowed his eyes, sighting Solentine as if he had a sword in his hand and was about to swing it. All of that charm and smoothness had vanished, replaced by pure menace. The one-hundred-eighty-degree turn was shocking.
Solentine didn’t even blink. “May I present Lady Marigold Demarr, daughter of Brune and Griele Demarr. She is the only daughter of my aunt and uncle, which makes her my treasured cousin. Are you getting all of this?”
Arvel shook his head. “We both know this is bullshit. Whatever you’re scheming, she is to be left out of it. Walk away.”
A tall, auburn-haired man came out of the side passage. He was in his late twenties, handsome, and wearing rust and cream.
“Sol, there you are—” He saw me. His eyes went wide. “Maggie! What are you doing here?”
My new brother, Rumian. Awesome timing.
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t even have to pretend to sound dejected.
“What happened to living quietly? By the Aspects, Mother is going to kill us.”
“She won’t kill us if she doesn’t know,” Solentine said.
“Sol is right.” Rumian dragged his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what’s going on, but we must get you out of here before Uncle Izarn sees you, because hewilltell Mother. Excuse me, Lord Arvel. I must rescue my sister from a fate worse than death.”
He cut in front of Arvel and took me by the arm. Solentine grasped my other arm, and we walked down the hallway, right past Arvel.
“When you embarked on this little adventure, you swore to me that you would mind your safety. One year. Is it so much to expect?” Rumian asked. His tone said he wasn’t mad, just very disappointed.
We kept walking.
“. . . We all agreed you wouldn’t draw attention to yourself . . .”
We kept moving down the hallway.
Rumian droned on. “. . . Mom nearly sent a team of knights to retrieve you. I stuck up for you. I promised that you wouldn’t do anything rash. I said that you were smart and sensible . . .”
I glanced over my shoulder. Arvel was now a good hundred feet behind us. He wasn’t chasing us. He was looking at me like a tiger who had wounded a gazelle and was watching it run away. His prey had escaped for the moment, but his face told me that the chase wasn’t over yet. I was in so much trouble.
“I promised Father . . . Is he still watching us?”
