“Fyn,” I held my breath for a heartbeat after I uttered his name. “If I choose to go back to Nythrel?—”
“I will take you.” His gaze held mine.
I couldn’t decide anything while my head throbbed behind my eyes.
“Send for me if you need me. There is a matter of missing ore I need to tend to.”
“What happened to it?” I asked.
“We are no longer the only ones interested in it,” he said. “An emissary from your kingdom recently arrived, and the overlap suggests their involvement.”
I had heard nothing of their arrival. “Soren mentioned trade resuming between Estlen and Bailoc.”
Fyn gripped his belt. “Wonderful. Just what I wanted to contend with.”
I reached for him before I pulled my hand back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ASHLYN
King Harlan had outlined everything. Soren wasn’t even there. I didn’t know if he’d stop it if he had been there.
Eva slipped back into my chambers too quickly. “The prince has selected your gown for this evening’s feast.”
She rested the dress she was carrying on the bed. The material shimmered as the sunlight poured in. It was nearly colorless. Carefully etched stones protruded from the neckline.
“I thought the fashion was to wear vibrant hues.” My fingers trailed the lace that outlined the hem.
“When a woman is to be wed, she stops wearing color.” Eva slowly tugged at the ribbon that kept the gown laced together in the back. “It’s a sign of her devotion and purity.”
“The pact hasn’t been finalized.” The gilded chair’s flourishes pressed into my palm.
Eva didn’t look at me. “It is only a tradition.” She tilted her head slightly.
A burning sensation bubbled inside of me. “It hasn’t been required of me this entire time. Why now?”
“The prince is simply excited.” Her words triggered the starlight again.
“I don’t wish to partake in this… tradition.” I clenched my jaw.
“That is not for you to decide,” she said.
“And if I choose another gown?”
“You will find that the prince will not take kindly to it.” She was finally telling the truth—and it was one I had already guessed.
Soren expected I would step into this role seamlessly.
Every lie and every truth pulled from me. Exhaustion swept through me. Fighting his choice would be a waste of my energy when I already felt I had little left to give.
“I will wear it. I wish to drink coffee and rest first.”
“Rest again? Are you unwell?” The fabric of the gown billowed over the edges of the sofa as she laid it aside.
“I simply cannot sleep here.”
“Maybe I could bring you something to calm your nerves.”
