“Of course,” said Theo shortly, reaching for a still-steaming bun.
“It was a taxing day yesterday,” Elowen chimed in, not seeming pleased with Xavier’s chastising of his brother. “Theo had reason to be tired.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of your victory,” Xavier said, his eyes twinkling again. “I congratulate you, Theo! I have no trouble believing you fought valiantly with such a motivation.” He inclined his head to Elowen, his voice lowering to the rumbling hum Theo had seen many a girl swoon over. “Truly, for any man of honor, it would be a privilege to fight for the favor of a woman of such grace and—to be bold, breathtaking beauty—as yourself, Your Highness.”
Elowen blinked, taken aback and a little dazzled by the change in tone. Theo restrained a groan that was only partly to do with his aching head. Xavier’s compliments might beoverblown, but his manner wasn’t that of a flatterer. He made the words—which were, after all, perfectly true—sound so sincere. It was exactly the skill Theo had never learned, even when hewascompletely in earnest. He’d looked down on what he’d considered a frippery skill that Xavier wasted his time on. If anything, he’d gone out of his way to avoid adopting any hint of it.
Which probably meant he would never be acceptable enough to Elowen, and their wedding date would never be set.
Recognizing that he was being dramatic, Theo tried to drown his bitter thoughts in the sweet tea that had been placed in front of him.
“Theo fought not for my honor, but the honor of my kingdom.” Elowen surprised him by responding head on to Xavier’s words. “He was respecting our traditions, for which we’re grateful. Even though some of them are a little meaningless.”
“Yesterday’s event wasn’t meaningless,” Theo interjected, putting his tea down too quickly so that it sloshed over the rim of the cup a little. His memory darkened as Bertrand’s sneering face filled it. “It was a necessary win.”
He looked up to find Elowen watching him, her look of surprise changing to one of concern. “Do you feel well this morning, Theo?”
“A little worn down,” he acknowledged. “But nothing to cause concern.” He wasn’t about to admit that he was rattled and near incapacitated by a disturbing dream about her plunging off a cliff. He turned his attention to Xavier. “Are you staying long?”
Xavier shook his head. “I’ll leave today. I actually came in hope of catching Prince Cassius. I’ve been very interested to hear that he made a diplomatic visit to Pulau. I don’t believe any kingdoms of the Peninsula have done so in the last decade, and the place has always fascinated me. I happened to be in the northof Siqual when I heard about it, and my information was that he was likely to be returning via Torrens.” He smiled disarmingly. “Which naturally I had a double interest in visiting given my favorite of brothers is here.”
Theo just grunted.
“I crossed the border and traveled north, and heard along the way that they were making a last-minute stop in Toledda. So I hurried here myself.”
“And what were you doing in the north of Siqual?” Theo asked dryly. “Official royal business?”
Xavier grinned. “Sure. If you like.”
A sigh was the only response Theo gave. He was well used to his brother’s disinterest in any royal responsibilities that didn’t particularly catch his fancy.
“Well, you missed them,” he said. “They left early yesterday morning.”
“Yes, I’ve been told,” Xavier replied. “I’m hoping I might catch up to them if I leave promptly. I’m only traveling with a couple of guards, so we can move quickly.”
At least he was with official guards instead of running off alone without stopping to ask the king’s leave. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Prince Patrick interjected. His brows were slightly raised, as if incredulous of the carefree attitude of his Siqualian counterpart. “They weren’t in a large group themselves, and they made excellent time from the port city to the capital.”
“Is that right?” Xavier mused. “Maybe it’s not worth it. I don’t want to chase them all the way to Crandell.”
“Why not?” Theo asked politely. “You could stop at Dernanford on the way home, complete your circuit of uninvited visits to all the capitals on the Peninsula.”
Xavier’s mouth twitched in the hint of a smirk, apparently feeling himself on more familiar ground with Theo’s dry responses.
“I think I’d be better off staying here for a little,” Xavier said. He lowered his voice, sending the ghost of a wink at Elowen before adding, “The company is more bewitching than any in Carrack, I’m sure. Princess Elowen might be in need of some cheer provided by Siqual’s interesting prince before shackling herself to its somber one.”
“No doubt.” The words, hard and bitter, slipped from Theo’s lips. He stood abruptly. “Excuse me. I need to check in with my guard.”
He saw the astonishment on Xavier’s face at this reaction to his teasing, but worse was the hurt that crossed Elowen’s features before she could smooth them. Theo winced as he bowed his head stiffly to the king and queen. What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he pull himself together? His head was throbbing so badly it was hard to marshal his thoughts at all. Never in his life had he felt so close to falling apart. He had to get away from witnesses.
He was out of the room and halfway down the corridor before he registered the footsteps behind him.
“Theo!” Xavier appeared at his side, his brow furrowed as he grabbed Theo’s arm. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” said Theo curtly. “I’m sorry I lost my temper.”
He tried to pull free of Xavier’s arm to keep walking, but his brother hung on grimly.
