No one moves.
But everyone is looking at me. And if they’re looking at me, then they’re not looking at Fabia and trying to figure out a way to kill her.
So I stand.
They all do the same.
Seeing Fabia finally reach Nicholas, I hike up my skirts.
The hall instantly falls quiet.
Someone coughs in front of me.
Another person does too.
As I start to undo my belt, Fabia pivots on her heels to come back to me. Nicholas follows, as do the three servants carrying his heavy chair.
“Godsdammit, Arienna,” Fabia snaps before she’s even taken a step.
“What?” I ask as I tug the knot free, then slide it off my pussy.
“Eye contact!”
“I’m holding it!”
“Don’t!” She jerks her head away, and I collapse into my seat with a giggle that eases some of the tension inside of me. Ever since I learned she was hurt, I’ve been scared that it’s changed her, but it hasn’t. She’s still the same annoyed Fabia that I love.
Laying the belt across my lap, I look at the ladies and lords closest to me. They slowly take their seats, but they’re clearly ready to jump up at a moment’s notice.
I shift in my seat, wondering how long I can do this.
“Your Majesty,” a lady blurts out as she leans towards me. Her face is covered in piercings that twinkle in the bright light of thehall. “It is a relief to see you are well after the attempt on your life. My sister was not so lucky when they attacked our unit, so I would be honoured to lead the charge into Vyla in your name.”
“We do not know the assassins were Vylians, Waress Ir,” a man cuts in. “Going to war over nothing is foolish.”
“Attacking our queen is notnothing,Gimisi.”
“Of course it isn’t.” He glances at me, his dark-green eyes sharp, yet hesitant. “But if they weren’t the ones to do it, then they shouldn’t be punished.” He looks back at Ir. “You know the Vylians do not have the means to survive another war. They surrendered for a reason.”
Before she can reply, Fabia and Nicholas reach us. “Have him sit to your right,” Jace says, his voice only loud enough for me to hear. “It is a position of honour and shows you wish to align with the Morningstars.”
Looking over at the servants, I smile and gesture at the space to my right.
“Your other right,” Jace mutters as he steps back.
Aw, bugger.I start to correct myself, but the three young servants are already dropping the chair into place, and bless their little hearts, they look utterly exhausted. Their arms are shaking. Sweat is on their brow. And their faces are soft with relief.
Turning to Nicholas, I smile at him. “That is a great place to sit, is it not?” Surely, if it’s okay with him, no one will think I’ve insulted him?
He nods tightly as he takes his seat. His shoulders are stiff, and his eyes are downcast. Two lines of servants start to file out of the kitchens, carrying our first course on silver trays. My stomach rumbles as the spices in the carrot and parsnip soup mix with the fresh smell of bread, but all of my attention is on how I can get Nicholas to fall in love with Fabia.
“So,” I say before Ir can get in another word about the Vylians, “who here likes to read?”
A few of them share glances, but no one speaks.
“Really?” I ask in shock. “But you have such a beautiful library! Have none of you visited it?”
The only noise comes from further down the table, a low hum of voices as the other nobles talk amongst themselves. This end stays utterly silent.
