“Careful, Princess,” he says, his voice tight. “That public display was justified and sanctioned by Queen Morwenna.”
I sink back in my chair, my entire body trembling as I fight not to scream at Iywan. Tomen’s hazy stare is on me as well this time, his gaunt face giving away nothing.
“Given the circumstances,” Iywan continues. “The commander is your best option in the interest of Erleya.”
Heat crawls over my skin and floods my chest. My chair scrapes unpleasantly against the floor as I shove my seat back and rise, slamming my hands on the table. “Meeting adjourned. Everybody out!”
The clock on the wall ticks loudly for a few seconds before barrel-chested Belhan slowly pushes his own chair back. He’s followed by Tomen, then a progressive trickle of the other councilors taking theirleave. Each member bows quickly as they walk past me before retreating with mumbled farewells. My amulet is uncomfortably warm against my chest—a sensation I’ve always blamed on my own emotions rather than… well, magic.
Iywan pushes himself slowly from his seat once the chamber plunges into silence behind the closed door. Callum is frozen at my side.
Resisting the urge to fiddle with my necklace, I clench my fists at my side. “I am the heir to the throne,” I say calmly. “I make the final decision in this.Yousaid that from the beginning when we went into this whole suitor thing. Why in Lugda’s hells are you repealing my choice?”
He doesn’t so much as blink. “You said it yourself, Princess. You are theheirto the throne. You have not come into full power. I am your advisor and final decision-maker in your mother’s stead while she is still very much alive.”
“She ishardlyalive!” My voice quivers and I cringe inwardly.
Something like pain briefly crosses Iywan’s face, but he blinks and it’s gone.
“You once cared about her. You once cared aboutme. I don’t understand what happened! I don’t understand why we’re always at odds now at the time where I most need you to actually be on my side.”
His eyes glisten with tears, but he takes a steadying breath and his face hardens. “I am trying to get her spoiled daughter to understand?—”
“Spoiled?”
“You cannot be trusted to make decisions that affect this entire kingdom.” His voice is surprisingly brazen, his tone clipped. “You are reckless, juvenile, and lacking decorum. You strut around here, cavorting with your servants like an entitled brat, bedding whomever you please, whenever andwhereveryou please.”
Color blooms on my face.
“You’re delusional to think that nobody can see how utterly flawed you are.”
My chest tightens at not just his words, but the coldness in his voice.
“I hate to shove the truth down your throat, child, but everyone knows you cannot control your emotions, nor what you do with your body. Even with yourguardwho is supposed to keep you in line.”
Callum bristles beside me.
I push my shoulders back rather than shrink away in shame. “Don’t call me a child.” My voice trembles, but I maintain a cool tone. “I am a woman of twenty-one and soon to be the queen, whether you like it or not. My behavior aside, I have a right to choose my future husband, and you have no right to speak to me the way you just did in front of the Council or the way you’re doing now, for that matter.”
To my surprise, he doesn’t retaliate right away. He folds his arms across his scrawny chest and says, “Then don’tactlike a child, Your Highness.”
The formal address is mocking, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from giving him a piece of my mind.
“Tell me, Princess, if you weren’t attracted to Prince Odgar, would he still be your choice?” Disdain drips from his voice.
I blink at him.
“You say that you’re the future queen and a woman grown. That you care about this kingdom. But rather than think with yourhead, you choose to go on a whim, based on an attraction. Tell me honestly, is allying with Prince Odgar any better than allying with Prince Morand? Caldeon has much to offer as well. Yet, you didn’t waltz in here and tell me all about its exports.”
I try to imagine my life with the overly energetic, cologne-reeking Prince Morand who spits when he speaks. To keep from facing Iywan directly, I stare down at the table.AmI making foolish decisions justbecause I like Odgar? I keep my head down even as Iywan speaks up again, my pulse thrumming in my temples and muddling my hearing.
“You chose the wrong suitor after I trusted you,” Iywan says. “So now, it’s inmyhands. You will be marrying Lord Commander Rheon. End of discussion.”
There’s a heavythud, and when I glance up again, Iywan is gone. I’m left in the empty council chamber with Callum. He spins to me. “I swear I’ve never told anyone.”
My chest is too tight, my breath growing thready. Anyone could’ve told Iywan about my bedding habits. Ellynne, Lowri, Eefa, Wynn… even Callum. My legs grow unsteady, forcing me back into the seat as I fight to get air into my reluctant lungs.
“Carys… What can I do?” Callum asks. He steps closer, but I shove my hand toward him.
