The Tournament is more than a competition—it’s a show, and all of Virdei and our Petruvian guests are the audience. At the end of the Tournament, the new Praeceptor sits down with the Petruvian visitors to make revisions to the flimsy treaty and maintain their tentative peace. Petruvia will be watching the Tournament closely, seeking flaws and weaknesses they can exploit. They’ll pounce on any excuse to revise the terms of the treaty in their favor. Ten years ago, the Honorate who won the throne performed poorly and was forced to cede more land to Petruvia than Virdei was willing to part with. The Republic was displeased. Luc can’t afford a poor showing.
“I’ll be discreet. I always am.” I pause as we dance past a group of people who watch us curiously. I stay quiet until we sway out of earshot. “As for everything else, I’ll learn. I’m a quick study.”
“These will be physical challenges. Lucien studied swordplay and combat at the finest academy in Virdei. I assume Arliss ensured the Vale boy did as well.Youhave no physical skills to speak of. You will be outmatched in every trial.”
I bite the inside of my cheek against the urge to spill my thoughts. Yes, Luc attended Holsbane Academy, and yes, he studied warfare as well as academics, but he was a below-average student. The only reason he graduated was because if he ever fell behind in a course, all it took was a firm word from Mathson Kyler for the problem to miraculously disappear.
“I am warning you, Remira, if you lose—” His words stall as he glances over my shoulder.
It’s my only warning before someone jostles me from behind.
“My apologies.” I half turn to address the person at my back, even thoughtheybumped into me. “I wasn’t watching where I was . . .” I stop speaking.
Kaidren Vale stands behind me, annoyingly handsome, impeccably dressed, andveryuninvited.
Words fail me as his mouth stretches into a broad grin. “Remira. What a surprise.” He says that, but he doesn’t look surprised to see me. He looks like a wolf that just cornered a sheep. Meanwhile, I’m so startled by his sudden appearance, I say nothing.
Kaidren mistakes my shock for confusion. “Kaidren Vale. The new Honorate. We met yesterday, remember?”
“Oh.” I swallow, trying to hide how flustered I am.Whydo I keep letting him catch me off guard? “Of course. Lovely to see you again.”
Kaidren turns his disarming smile to Mathson. “Sir, can I steal her for a dance?” His voice is smooth and charming, but I catch a taunting glint in those deep brown eyes. Kaidren publicly challenged Mathson’s son to a Tournament of Thrones, showed up uninvited to a private event at his home, and is asking to dance with his daughter. It’s a move so bold, I’d take notes if I wasn’t panicking.
A dance with Kaidren is dangerous. For him, because bad things happen to people I despise. For me, because one touch from him and my world crumbles.
I look pleadingly at Mathson, trying to convey with my eyes that he has to refuse, for both our sakes. But we’re drawing curious looks, and the last thing Mathson Kyler wants is a scene.
“Of course. So long as you promise to bring her back in one piece.” Mathson releases my arm and, without looking at me, walks away.
Kaidren extends a hand to me, brows raised expectantly. “Shall we?”
Neither of us is wearing gloves. My throat feels tight and itchy. “Actually, I’m . . .” I scramble for an excuse. “Hungry.”
Kaidren doesn’t miss a beat. He lowers his hand and holds out the crook of his elbow instead. “Then let’s get food.”
This is safer, but I tug my sleeves over my hands, still tense as I loop my arm through his. I lean my body away from his as we walk.
Kaidren smiles as he guides me through dancing guests toward a table along the back wall filled with food. “It’s lovely to see you again, RemiraKyler.” He emphasizes my surname with a smirk. “You failed to mention you’re the Praeceptor’s sister.” The good humor in his expression makes it clear he’s teasing, not genuinely upset I didn’t tell him.
“You didn’t ask for a family history.” I mimic his playful tone.
“I asked for your surname.”
We reach the table, and I immediately drop his arm and step back. “Most people here already know who I am. I enjoyed the anonymity.” I draw in my brows pleadingly. “I hope you’re not upset with me?”
“Not at all.” Without asking, he begins preparing a plate for me.
I watch over his shoulder, pleasantly surprised when he puts a generous heaping of goat stew on the porcelain plate—my favorite. “I didn’t realize my father included the new Honorate on the guest list.”
Kaidren moves on to the next dish (roasted potatoes) and drops his voice. “Can you keep a secret?”
“Depends how scandalous it is.”
He chuckles. With a quick glance around to ensure there’s no one near us, he leans in, breath ghosting my ear. “I wasn’t invited.”
I pretend to be shocked as I draw back. “Really? Then why are you here?”
His grin softens. “To see you again, of course.”
