“Only you would sleep with your brother’s betrothed.”
Despite my efforts, the thunder booms louder. Mayah flinches, and I grab her thigh beneath the table, squeezing gently.
“Stop bringing that up. Mayah ismywife.”
Faramir smirks. “Your display of power at the ceremony,” he drawls. “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.” He flicks his gaze toMayah, though still addresses me. “Why the pitiful display? On your wedding day, no less.”
“Is there anything else, Faramir?” I grit out.
My half-brother falls silent, a disdainful grin frozen on his face. “No, I suppose not. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other.” The Skies have mercy on me because he walks away.
“Sorry,” I mutter, glancing at Mayah. “He’s an ass.”
“Has it always been this way between you two?” She tracks him across the room, teeth gnawing at her lower lip.
“Pretty much. Faramir has hated me since we were children.”
“Why?”
“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?” she murmurs. “Besides leaving the realm.”
My heart warms at her words—I’d made an offhand comment weeks ago that I’d wanted to leave the realm and visit Volca. And she remembered.
My grip tightens on her thigh.
“Right now? I want to ditch this party and show you something.” She’d love the view of the night sky from my favorite terrace. Perhaps she’ll let me kiss her again.
“We can’t leave our own reception,” she laughs, lacing our fingers together beneath the table. My heart stutters.
“We can, and we will.” I shoot her a conspiratorial smile. “Come on.”
Her hand is cool in mine as we cross the hall. At the center of the dance floor, a guard stops us and pulls me to the side.
“Sire,” he whispers. “Prince Faramir has ordered all the guards to leave. I-I couldn’t dissuade him.”
A deep, long-suffering sigh escapes me, and I glare at Faramir preening at his table like the pompous ass he is.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmur to Mayah before striding toward Faramir’s table.
Everything happens quickly after that.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Whatthefuckareyou doing?” I growl, glaring down at Faramir.
“Enjoying my dinner, little brother.” He takes a deep swig from his wine glass, not bothering to look at me.
My hands clench into fists. “The guards. We need them for security.”
He waves a dismissive hand. “Do we? We’re surrounded by friends. Our loyal subjects.”
“Faramir—”
There’s a loud shout behind me, followed by the shatter of plates breaking against marble.
The center of the dance floor is a scene of panic, servants and guards frantically milling about, and I can’t. See.Mayah.
