“I’m concerned about Simeon, after what you told me. Sophia’s concerned too, but I don’t think she’s telling me everything.”
“I see.”
Theo’s distant tone of voice told her at once that her choice of excuse was a mistake. She suddenly remembered the moment outside the library, and she waited for him toexpress his displeasure. But he said nothing, just continued the dance in cool silence. Elowen was annoyed with herself for her clumsiness, but more annoyed with him. Why didn’t he just talk to her?
“I was also thinking about the fact that you didn’t ask me to dance,” she added crisply.
“What?” Theo seemed confused. “We’re dancing right now.”
“But you didn’t actually ask me,” Elowen said. “You just walked up and…claimed me.”
Theo pulled her back in, his raised eyebrow uncomfortably close now. “I assumed it was settled. Did I misunderstand the etiquette? Were you supposed to open the dancing with someone other than the prince to whom you’re betrothed?”
“No, your etiquette is impeccable,” she said, her tone dampening.
“I don’t understand your meaning,” Theo said, his own voice terse now. “Was I wrong to assume we’re supposed to dance together?”
“It’s not the dancing but the assuming that’s the issue,” Elowen said.
Theo searched her eyes. “Why are you angry with me, Elowen?”
“I’m not,” she protested. “You’re angry with me. But you’re too proper to admit it.” He tried to contradict, but she cut him off. “I know you saw me talking to Simeon earlier, and I know you’re not happy about it. If it bothers you, why don’t you say so?”
Theo’s brow lowered in a frown. “Is that your aim, Elowen? To provoke a reaction from me? Because I’m not interested in childish games.”’
“I absolutely was not trying to provoke a reaction from you,” she said, outraged.
“Is that why you brought it up just now and specifically sought my reaction?” he demanded dryly.
Elowen was struggling to keep a scowl from her face. “I want you to be honest about whatever your reaction is, that doesn’t mean I acted for the purpose of getting a reaction from you. Is it so unreasonable to want to know what you want?”
“I’m a prince of Siqual,” he said dismissively. “I want my kingdom to thrive.”
“An empty answer,” Elowen said contemptuously.
“It’s not empty to me.” Theo’s grip on her was tighter now than the dance required. “It’s everything.”
“No, it’s not, it’s meaningless platitude,” Elowen contradicted. “I’m royal as well, don’t expect me to be impressed by empty speeches. I want to know whatyouwant.” Her frustration was rising, stripping away her better sense along with it. She was sick of being proper and compliant. “Don’t you care at all? Am I just a stranger to you, joined by a contract and nothing more?”
“Don’t ask me what I want.” A strange intensity had entered Theo’s voice now. “I’m not allowed to want anything.”
His grip was even stronger, and when the dance required him to pull her in, he tugged her more flush against him than necessary. His eyes burned into hers in a way that made it hard to breathe properly. She’d seen it in the tournament, but for the first time shefeltthe strength hidden beneath his stiff exterior, a strength that was barely contained as he fought visibly for control. What had come over him? She’d never seen him show such emotion, and it was intoxicating.
“What does that mean, you’re not allowed to want anything?” Elowen asked, breathless.
Theo ignored her question, his mind on a track of its own.
“You ask what I want?” His eyes flicked down her face before he wrenched them back up. “I want to know why our wedding date isn’t set. What’s the delay no one will tell me about?”
Thrown, Elowen felt her face heat. She hadn’t expected an attack in that direction, and she would have stumbled in her steps if Theo’s hands hadn’t held her so steady. Still in the grip of his strange new intensity, she found herself blurting out the truth before she could think it through.
“Me,” she said. “I’m the delay.”
“What does that mean?” Theo demanded.
“I promised my parents I would cooperate with the alliance,” she said. “And I meant it. But they made me a promise as well—that it would be for me to set the date of the wedding, and they wouldn’t push me to do it before I’m ready.”
“Why?” Theo demanded. “If you’re committed to the marriage, what’s the point of that promise?”
