A crumpled-up parchment caught her eye. Cassia unfolded it. A room she’d never seen before was sketched in great detail. A ballroom, perhaps. Floor to ceiling windows surrounded a marble floor. A crystal chandelier, one grander than their own in Astraeus, centered the room. Was this something he’d seen in New York?
Stuffing it back underneath some papers, Cassia exited his bedroom, hoping to find him in the library. She’d made a floor down and just passed the servant’s quarters when she heard laughter. Not just anyone’s laughter, though… herfather’s. Stunned, Cassia opened the dining room doors.
Her father and Cade sat at the table. Both had full plates in front of them.
What the hell?
“It’s lunch time,” she stated. Never once had their family eaten lunch together.
Their laughter died as they acknowledged her presence.
“And your point is?” her father asked, stuffing a bite of steak into his mouth. When she didn’t answer, he nodded to the empty seat across from Cade. “Are you going to join us?”
Cassia recoiled from the openness in his voice. It’d been years since she’d seen her father remotely…happy. His white hair, drained of color from magic use, was slicked back into a bun, like he used to wear it. She resisted pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming or transported back to a time before Riker’s death. That had been the last time her father hadn’t scowled at her when she walked into a room. And then there was Cade. Not only was he shaved, but his hair was combed. Cassia couldn’t help but stare at him. It had been months since he looked like himself.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to catch his eye.Why do you look so carefree? Didn’t I just find depressive episode portraits of your girlfriend in your room?Cassia tried to ask with her mind. But he wouldn’t look at her or let the connection form.
Cade shrugged. “Eating.”
“I can see that. I’m not blind,” she snapped. Reluctantly, she took the seat across from him. The velvet dragged against her wool pants.
“It seems your brother has finally come to his senses,” their father said wryly. “I thought I’d have to drag him down the aisle on the spring solstice next month.”
Cassia poured herself a glass of wine from the dark bottle sitting in the center of the table. She hoped it would help calm her shaking hands. “Is that still not the plan?”
Not that dragging Cade would work, either. He’d probably be there over his dead…
“I’ve agreed to marry Marin.”
Cassia choked on the liquid she’d been chugging. Red wine sputtered out of her nose and onto the white tablecloth in front of her. Coughing, she gasped for breath and tried to clear the burn suffocating her throat.
Her father clicked his tongue. “You’ll never get your turn with manners like that.”
She wanted to be offended by the snide comment, but it was the only thing that seemednormalabout reality at the moment. “What?”
Cade chuckled and took a huge bite out of a roll. Finally, she felt him enter her subconscious.If you want to help, stop pushing.
What are you doing? Is this about what Marin finally told you?
Cassia dug her nails into her thighs when Cade severed their connection with a slicing pop.
“We all know Cass is never getting married,” Cade said. Even though she knew he didn’treallymean it, the comment stung. “No one could handlethatfor the rest of their life. There are plenty of blondes in Astraeus who are way more fun. I would know.”
Cassia took another large sip of wine. Maybe she really did go back in time to three years ago.
“Back to better topics. Even if it is part of our deal, I still think the spring solstice is the best date for the wedding,” Cade continued. “It’s symbolic… and it will give me the next few weeks to join Finn at the Kastronian border to quell the attacks before the big day.”
Oh, sothatwas her brother’s plan... butter up their father so he stopped having Orion follow him everywhere. He wanted to leave the palace.
He wanted to find Quinn.
“I agree. The spring solstice would be the best day and give the staff plenty of time to prepare. But…” Too busy cutting off another piece of steak, he didn’t notice Cade’s fists clench. “Your presence is still required in the palace. I think we should finish the tournament.”
Control, obviously. That much was obvious to Cassia. It had beenmonthssince their journey to Cavamyne and the last task. All the girls had gone home just a few weeks later with the excuse that it was too dangerous to proceed.
“The point is our people need a distraction right now. It’s our duty to provide that for them and stick to our traditions. Present a united front in the face of the unknown. Even though we know Marin will win, the people don’t. Let them have some excitement.” Their father grinned, but it didn’t reach his dark eyes. “Why the sour face? Is there something elseyou’d rather be doing? I know that you think the border needs you… but I think Finn can handle his regiment and the situation on his own.”
Cassia held her breath as she waited to see Cade’s reaction. Her brother’s eyes darkened and for a split-second, his inward struggle allowed her to grasp on to a tether of their connection.
