A sneer came from my side.
Lady Aerobelle sat two seats down. “That’s the wrong fork.”
I glanced Jax’s way to see that he’d picked up the fork near the end of his silverware, not the second one in like I had. Etiquette lessons my guardian had insisted on had taught me what silverware to use, but even though I felt better, I was still tired. I’d simply grabbed a fork, not bothering to check which one it was.
Despite Aerobelle’s snub, I didn’t change what fork I held. “Is it?” I raised my eyebrows and speared another piece of meat. “Thank you for that fascinating lesson, Lady Aerobelle.”
Lady Aerobelle harrumphed and said something under her breath to another female at her side. Both began to laugh.
I rolled my eyes but refused to cower. After all, it wassilverware. I’d literally just stopped a king from marching upon the continent. I’d prevented a literal war. The last thing I was going to stress over was a fork.
But my mate was another story. A low snarl came from Jax, directed entirely at Aerobelle. “Truly, Aerobelle, have you never learned any manners? Or anything truly interesting to say? Considering your comments are reserved for silverware, apparently not.”
Her eyes widened, and Bowan and Trivan, seated across the massive table from us, both laughed openly.
Lander’s mouth slanted in a smile, and he lifted his glass. “I toast to Lady Aerobelle’s continued etiquette classes. Apparently, she never mastered them.”
Aerobelle’s mouth fell open, and her parents, who were seated near her, puffed up with indignation.
“Prince Adarian,” her father huffed. “My daughter has been thoroughly?—”
“Thoroughly rude?” Jax cocked an eyebrow. “Yes, you’re right. She has been. And unless she learns to treat my mate with more respect, then she has no place at this table.” Ice lined his words. “And that goes for anyone else who cares to insult Elowen.” His gaze cut to the female Aerobelle had been tittering with.
The female slunk so low in her seat that it was a miracle her head was still above the table.
Lady Aerobelle’s mouth opened, then closed. Tears sprang forth in her eyes, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was the first time the prince had ever insulted a female so blatantly.
“My prince, I was just?—”
“About to apologize?” Jax’s question was said so low but was filled with so much menace that she paled. “I certainly hope that’s what you were about to say, Lady Aerobelle. If not, the door’s right there.” He used his fork to point toward the hall.
Lady Aerobelle’s cheeks reddened. She stood, her chair scraping against the stone floor. Huffing, she threw her napkin onto the table and stormed from the room.
Her parents gaped, and her mother stood and scurried after her.
I sat speechless. The fierceness Jax had just exuded was simmering all around him.
“Does anyone else care to insult my mate?” His voice carried through the hall, and even the king and queen appeared to be at a loss for words.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Jax had ever acted this brazenly, thishostilely, before.
“No?” The crown prince lifted his wine glass. “In that case, solls.”
A few of the nobles automatically clinked glasses, wariness coating their expressions, but across the table, Alec, Bowan, Lander, and Trivan all smirked.
“Adarian,” the queen called, then cleared her throat. A flush had worked up her neck, and I had a feeling she was two seconds away from throwing me out. Or maybe not. For the first time, she was watching her son with a mixture of hesitation and wariness. “We were all just chatting about the Ironcrest Ball before you arrived. It’s next week, as I’m sure you remember. We shall be leaving soon for it, so the coming days will be busy.” The queen sipped from her goblet, her gaze darting to me. “Quite busy, my darling.”
For the first time, some of her haughtiness evaporated, yet I had a feeling that had less to do with me and more to do with the swirling cyclone seated at my side.
Jax tapped his fingers against his wine glass. “I haven’t forgotten, Mother. And in case you’re unaware, Elowen will be joining us for that trip.”
The king sighed heavily and tossed his napkin onto the table. “Adarian, a word if you would.” He pushed to standing and strode from the hall, not looking back to see if his son was joining him.
Jax’s nostrils flared, but he dutifully stood, then lowered to kiss me on the neck. “I’m sorry, my love. I’ll be back shortly. If anyone tries to make you leave...” He shot a look at his four friends across the table.
Bowan and Alec lifted their glasses, and Trivan’s eyes danced with mischief. Even Lander looked ready for a fight.
I inclined my head, and my mate bond hummed. “I’ll stay put.”
