Zev gently tilts my chin toward him. “The first shipment of food I brought—it will have helped. And the second leaves any day now. Don’t starve yourself to make a point, Mayah. We have abundance here. I’ll make sure it reaches Tundrayn, too.”
Something warm fizzles in my chest, driving back the bitter chill gnawing through me. I nod slowly and take a cautious bite—the flavor is odd, but not unpleasant. Zev watches, satisfied.
Course after course arrives. I try everything until my belly is near bursting, even as guilt coats my tongue.
Nobles greet us while we eat and offer well wishes. My fake smile might become permanently affixed to my face. The nobles are mostly interested in Zev, though some do ask about my life back home.
A tall nobleman, dressed in a finely cut white tunic, leans over our table, ignoring me completely. “Your union has already made waves, sire. It’s all the people can talk about—a new era of peace.”
Zev smiles tightly. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be the kingdom’s favorite conversation topic.”
The noble has barely walked away, when the aggressive clacking of footsteps sounds out—it must be another sycophant approaching to fawn over us.
Zev stiffens beside me.
Not a noble. It’s Faramir.
He’s wearing a wide grin—and a bright turquoise tunic that matches my gown perfectly. His blond hair hangs in long, beaded braids in a distinctly Tundrayni style.
Zev’s knuckles flare white around his glass.
“Brother! Mayah! Many, many congratulations to you both,” Faramir declares loudly with a dramatic sweep of his hands.
A beat. Then, a growled—“Thank you.”
Faramir’s green eyes flick to my face, trailing down my neck, before settling on my breasts. The bastard licks his lips. Disgust curdles in my gut, his stare crawling over me.
Zev snarls, low and venomous, before the rumble of thunder drowns it out. The air crackles, and he rises from his chair, fists clenched, but I place a quick hand on his forearm, casting him a meaningful glance.Don’t let him rile you. Zev hesitates but lowers himself back into the chair, shoulders tight with anger.
A broad grin stretches Faramir’s mouth as he watches our exchange.
“Like my outfit, brother? I wanted to honorMayah.” He lingers over my name, keeping it on his tongue for as long as he can. A shudder of revulsion skitters through me. Tides, he’s determined to get a rise out of his brother.
Zev exhales sharply through his nose. “Only you could make such a beautiful color look disgusting.”
“Only you would sleep with your brother’s betrothed.”
The thunder booms louder. I flinch—Zev’s hand finds my thigh beneath the table, squeezing gently.
“Stop bringing that up. Mayah ismywife.”
Faramir smirks, as if nothing pleases him more than his brother’s rage. “Your display of power at the ceremony,” he drawls, crossing his arms. “It was disappointing, brother. I expected lightning bright enough to sear the skies all the way to Tundrayn. Thought you’d want to impressmysister-in-law.” His unnerving gaze settles on me again. “Why the pitiful display? On your wedding day, no less.”
“Is there anything else, Faramir?” Zev grits out.
Faramir is silent, his mocking grin frozen on his face. “No, I suppose not. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other.” Without another word, he pivots and strides away, his guards trailing him.
Zev rakes a violent hand through his hair. “Sorry,” he mutters, glancing at me sideways. “He’s an ass.”
“Has it always been this way between you two?” Sura is the closest thing I had to a sibling, and we were inseparable. Until the war separated us.
“Pretty much. Faramir has hated me since we were children.”
“Why?”
He shrugs. “He sees me as a threat to the crown—I’m the stronger wielder. He doesn’t believe that I don’t want the throne.”
“Whatdoyou want?” I murmur. “Besides leaving the realm.”
