“Well, not now,” Elowen conceded. “But I remember plenty of whispers when she was serving as his bodyguard. It was quite a sensation, even here in Torrens.”
“It was a sensation in Siqual as well,” Theo interjected. “Although in our case it was largely outrage that the Carrackians had stolen away my sister’s bodyguard to protect their prince.”
Elowen stepped toward him eagerly. “Of course, you know Princess Flora well, don’t you?”
“Fairly well,” he confirmed. “She and my sister have been close since they attended the academy together.” He inclined his body in a half-bow toward the king and queen. “Here in Toledda.”
“Yes, we’re very proud that Her Highness was educated here in our capital,” Queen Lisbeth said with a regal smile.
Elowen made a scoffing noise that drew a veiled scowl from her mother. “I assume you mean Princess Miriam, because I don’t recall anyone being proud of Princess Flora studying here back when we’d never heard of her.”
“Elowen.” There wasn’t much heat in her father’s rebuke, but Elowen raised a hand in surrender. She turned to Theo. “You must be looking forward to seeing your friend again.”
The opening door made them all turn to see their visitors being ushered into the room by the king’s steward. They’d obviously changed since their arrival, but Elowen could see the weariness of the road on both their faces. They hid it politely, however, as they greeted their hosts with gracious manners.
“It was very kind of you to invite us to stay, Your Majesty,” Princess Flora said to Elowen’s mother. “Our suite is beautifully appointed.”
“We’re delighted to receive you back in our city,” the queen said, the emphasis on the wordbacknot very subtle. Elowen’s eyes flew to Theo, and they both turned away quickly, hiding their smiles.
The shared moment was quickly replaced by self-consciousness for Elowen, when she looked up to see Princess Flora watching them with interest. As her husband greeted the king and queen, the princess turned to Theo.
“Theo, I’m so glad to see you!” She took the hand he offered, smiling warmly. “How’s Miriam?”
“She was well when I left Sindon,” he said. “She misses you.”
“I miss her as well,” Flora said. She sent a meaningful look toward Elowen. “Are you going to introduce me to your betrothed?”
“Elowen, Flora,” Theo said with a smile. “I’m sure you two will get along.”
“I hope so, since I’ve seated them together.” Queen Lisbeth’s interruption was their cue to move toward the banquet hall, where the other guests would be starting to gather.
Prince Cassius politely offered Elowen his arm, but he was too engrossed in a conversation with Patrick to actually speak with her. She surveyed him surreptitiously. His hair, a lighter brown than Theo’s, was longer than was the fashion in Torrens, but it wasn’t unruly. In fact, everything about him was ordered and powerful. His arm was muscled under her hand as he led her into the banquet hall, and the line of his jaw was straight and a little severe. The story she’d heard of his romance with his now wife had been dramatic and exciting, but she would never have guessed from his demeanor that he was capable of that kind of passion. Maybe looks could be deceiving, even in stiff princes.
She resisted the urge to let her eyes follow the direction of her wistful thoughts, but her focus still shifted to Theo, walking behind her with Princess Flora. The princess obviously didn’t realize that Elowen wasn’t immersed in the conversation between her brother and Prince Cassius, because she spoke with the humorous ease of believing her words private.
“Oh dear, Theo. It’s a bit of a problem, isn’t it?”
“What’s that?” Theo’s deep voice rumbled at a lower volume than his companion’s, but Elowen had become attuned to it and had no difficulty hearing.
“Your princess. She’s gorgeous. Possibly the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.”
There was a moment of silence, in which Elowen’s cheeks felt warm.
“I’ve noticed.” The calm response from Theo fanned the warmth into a raging inferno. He had? “Why is that a problem?”
“Well, she’s too captivating, isn’t she? We need someone lively and enchanting like that for Xavier, but I always picturedyou with a staid, serious girl, who wouldn’t mind not being swept off her feet in a whirlwind of romance.”
The words were spoken in a jesting tone, but the pause that followed them was painful, and when he finally replied, Theo’s voice was stiff.
“Well, unhappily for both her and Xavier—and you also, it seems—she’s not betrothed to Xavier. She’s betrothed to me.”
A strange sensation went over Elowen at the rumbling words. She should probably be offended by the possessive edge to his voice. But she wasn’t.
“Theo, I’ve offended you.” Princess Flora’s voice was instantly contrite. “Truly, I was only trying to tease. Of course you and your bride will do very well together. And I wouldn’t wish Xavier on her for a moment. We both know that as much fun as he is, the woman he marries will have all our sympathy.”
Elowen couldn’t catch the words of Theo’s reply, but his tone had relaxed in response to the humor in Princess Flora’s voice.
They’d entered the banquet hall, and for several minutes they were all consumed by the bustle of the king’s welcome and everyone taking their seats. When everything settled, Elowen found herself seated beside Princess Flora, as her mother had promised. Theo’s place was on her other side, but he hadn’t taken it yet, standing for a moment in conversation with Patrick.
