I swallowed against the slight. There hadn’t been any opportunity to escape my own fate as a trophy bride, but I understood her need for freedom. Placing my hand on hers, I nodded.
‘So, where will you take your orders?’
‘Here, at the convent in Asmar.’ Enfys leaned in close again. ‘As far away from my father as I can get. I can use my healing gifts there. Honestly, it’s a relief to know I’ll have a purpose. And we’ll be closer. You’ll visit?’ She gripped me tighter, tears shining in her eyes. ‘Promise you’ll visit.’
My breath caught as she squeezed my hand. Mama would adore this. A second chance with my sister. Though as the painfully familiar stab burrowed into my temple, I wondered how much time we’d actually get.
‘I’m going to head there tomorrow,’ she said, taking a pointed look over my shoulder to where Danté was eyeing Ifan’s huge frame warily. ‘I thought I’d get him away before someone lands another fist on his smug jaw.’
‘You’re a healer,’ I said, sharing a wicked grin with my sister. ‘You could repair his face in no time.’
‘My gift only works if I truly want to help someone, though. That damned man somehow asks to be slapped.’
‘And you’d never get to take orders with a history of violence.’
‘So,’ Danté sniffed by my damn ear.
I glared at him, the strong planes of his jaw that would make a rather satisfying crack were my fist to connect with it.
‘I’ve heard you’ve made no headway on discovering the Vyrium.’
My fingers itched by my sides and I stuck a tight smile onto my face. ‘Nothing concrete yet.’
I watched as his full lips wrapped over the glass and he took a far too long swig. His brown eyes strayed over in Matthias’s direction, a sneer tickling the corner of his mouth. ‘I’m sure Romero is a lot further along.’
Danté kept his gaze on my husband as he took another full gulp, his head nodding slightly.
‘Of course he is.’
His cold eyes regarded me once more. Goosebumps prickled on my arms despite the heat of the friendly hearth. ‘He’s even had the chance to send out a few scouting parties. Obviously can’t say where.’ He tapped his far too straight nose, and it took the strength of Evella to stop my fist flying towards it. ‘It won’t be long before Drufaera will be rolling in freshly mined Vyrium.’
My guts turned. I knew with all my research, Romero was probably strides ahead of us. If he got his hands on those stores, we were well and truly fucked. We all knew he’d never learned to share. He had more allies, more soldiers, powerful Anomalies and with the Vyrium, stronger weapons too.
Matthias and Asmar wouldn’t stand a chance. And if the empress attacked our shores…
I plastered a tight smile to my face, wondering if I could escape back to the library, work all night and find the stores before he did.
‘Then I’m certain Romero will share it with the rest of The Alliance?’ Matthias held my elbow, his fingers shaking.
‘Have you not heard, Asmar?’ Danté placed his empty glass on the mantelpiece, attempted to look down his nose at Matthias. ‘RomeroisThe Alliance now.’
Matthias’s forearm trembled beneath me, despite the smile he’d plastered on his face.
‘If you’ll excuse me,’ Danté said, mirth dancing in his eyes, ‘we have another long journey tomorrow. I’d like to turn in for the night. Princess Enfys, come along.’
‘Enfys is staying here,’ Skye said, standing next to my sister. ‘I think she’s perfectly capable of knowing when she’s ready for sleep.’
Danté snorted, his face turning puce. ‘I think you’ll find I’m her chaperone. I’ll say when the princess turns in.’
Enfys clutched her necklace as she narrowed her eyes at the duke.
Matthias placed himself between Danté and Enfys. ‘As this is my kingdom?—’
‘For now, Asmar.’
I clenched Matthias tighter. He was coiled, ready to pounce.
‘Anyway, I’m bored of this. Enfys?’
