Servants went around the table and filled our goblets with wine, but no one else dared to move as Freya stared knives across the table at her husband.
I glanced past my mother to look at General Hyton and I could still see bits of Riyan in his face. My mind crafted an image of Riyan as the size of a normal man replacing his father at the end of the table. His long honey-colored hair was neatly combed and a Hyton Blue cape draped across his back.
The imaginary Riyan tugged on the too-tight collar of his doublet and gave me a wink, silently beckoning me to abandon the dinner and meet him in a dark hallway.
My thumb stroked the back of my hand as I bit my tongue.
The dining room door creaked open and then slammed shut, banishing my fantasy. Footsteps pattered across the floor before Annalisa plopped in the chair next to me. Her hair was still piled on top of her head and her hands were speckled with paint.
Rubia took one glance at Annalisa’s dusty blue dress and wrinkled her nose.
Sapphira scoffed. “Cannot even show up on time.”
“Or dress properly,” Pearl added with a sneer.
Annalisa leaned back in her chair and folded her arms, countering Sapphira with a frosty glare.
Duke Hyton stood up and held out his golden goblet. “A toast!”
I wrapped my hand around my cup and lifted it. Duke Hyton’s horrifying blue eyes found me amongst the forest of raised goblets.
“To the newest member of the House of Hyton.” His eyes swept to my mother’s, who returned with a tight painted smile. “And to dear Serafina’s safe return.”
Bile rose in my throat, but I forced it back down. Duke Hyton brought his cup to his lips and the rest of us followed, some mumbling “to Adalia,” and “to Serafina.”
Just as the edge of my goblet touched my lip, Duchess Hyton gave Brietta a pointed glance. They both pantomimed swallowing a mouthful before setting their goblets down.
I did the same.
Plates clinked as the servants brought out the first course—some sort of stew. My eyes swept across the table as Derrick’s sisters dug into their bowls. I gently stirred my spoon as I watched the others take mouthful after mouthful. Even Brietta and Freya slowly picked at their stew, so it must have been safe to eat.
The thick gravy was warm on my tongue as I swallowed a spoonful.
Mother accidentally took a drink from General Hyton’s goblet and laughed it off, replacing his wine with hers before getting back to her own stew. The General gave her a small half-smile.
I had seen Mother and the General speak before, but something about that small exchange seemed…friendly. I did not think either of them was capable of being friendly.
Duke Hyton folded his hands. “Are my precious gemstones enjoying the stew?”
“Yes, Father!” Pearl beamed.
“Absolutely wonderful,” Rubia added with a bat of her eyelashes.
Emeralda tipped her goblet back but gurgled in assent.
Duke Hyton smiled. “Can any of you guess what the meat is?”
The spoon became cold in my hand. I did not like this dinner game.
“I know it is not beef,” Amethyst said as she patted her pregnant belly. “My Tadpole would force back up if it were.”
“Is it venison?” Rubia asked.
“Duck?” chimed in Sapphira.
Garnet remained pointedly silent.
A sly smile crept up Duke Hyton’s lips. “No.”
