Touchy.
His earlier comment must have been a jest, because it was apparent he was close with his uncle.Very close—and he cared about him.
“I’m just trying to cover every possible lead.What about your other uncle, what was his name, Quintar?Could there be a connection there?”
The prince transformed into stone, his fingers gripping the glass tight enough I feared it might break.My next words died in my throat, taken aback by his reaction.He kept his gaze focused on the water, an icy glaze covering his eyes.
“No” was all he said, and I feared what might happen if I mentioned his other uncle’s name again.I swallowed, searching for a way to bridge the next question.
“Who is your father’s closest adviser?”
“The chancellor?”Valeris snapped out of whatever had taken him, and a strange expression I couldn’t read crossed his face.“Useless.Except for paperwork.”
I sighed.“Well, I need a little time.I’ll try to have something for you by the end of the next ball.”
He stood.“I think you mean youwillhave something for me before the end of the next ball.”
Footsteps approached and I stood as well, turning to find myself face-to-face with Richard Wylan Athello himself, formerly known as Prince Alekvandor.
He started upon meeting my gaze but then composed himself as if nothing had happened—but he did not take his eyes from my face.
I resisted the urge to squirm, growing uncomfortable beneath the weight of his stare.
“Uncle Wylan, this is Analleia Kallistar.”The prince’s voice sounded far away.
My brow creased as I felt like I couldn’t take my eyes away from Athello’s face, as if his stare held me in a trance.
“Yes,” he said.“I believe you mentioned her before.Where was it you said you were from, Analleia?”
My mouth went dry, my tongue feeling swollen and heavy.I forced out, “Allowyn.”
His eyes seemed to grow deeper, as if he were peering into my very soul.It felt like I was shrinking, the world growing larger around me.
“Uncle?”
Wylan Athello drew his gaze away, and I felt like I had been released from a spell.I looked at the ring on his right hand, the vines and leaves twisting around the opal stone set into the band.So close, yet so out of reach.
“If you’ll excuse me.”I dipped my head and hurried back into the palace, putting the safety of its walls between us.My heart galloped as my hands shook.I clutched at my skirts, trying to get my hands to still.I sucked in several deep breaths as if I hadn’t been able to breathe for the past few minutes, but it wasn’t from exertion.It was from anxiety.From the way he stared at me.Into my soul.Like he had bewitched me.This man whom the Enchantress had tasked me to steal from.
He knew something.
Based off the unsatisfied look on his face, he didn’t know exactly what.
But he knew something about me.
Potentially that I wasn’t who I claimed to be.
