Maryn feigned a yawn. “Your point?”
“Despite not being Chosen, you believe you are untouchable. You can’t hide behind the barons forever. All it takes is a unanimous vote from them to replace you,” I said as Maryn’s smile weakened.
“I wouldn’t get ahead of yourself, girl. There’s still so much you don’t know, and the barons despise incompetency.” Her long fingernails clacked along the table’s gleaming black surface. “The advisors also tell me that you have put your ownspinon the traditional Scorpion dances. Certainly someone of your…” Her icy eyes lingered on my cleavage. “Caliberknows how to use their body well enough to perform it adequately?”
Her backhanded dig was well implied. “I can dance fine.”
“You must show respect for the queendom’s customs, not seduce the barons.”
I cut into a honey-glazed carrot. “So having large breasts makes me a harlot fraud?”
Spreading such a falsehood was dangerous, especially if the barons believed it to be more than petty gossip stirred by an envious regent.
“You said it.” Her eyes suddenly flicked behind me. “Something to add, Guardian?”
I turned in my chair, my chest squeezing at the sight of Raithe only a few paces away. The veins in his neck bulged.
Barto and Chessah advanced on either side of Maryn, hands gripping the hilts of their swords. They were delusional if they thought they could take on Raithe at full power.
“Well?” Maryn said, on the verge of smiling.
Raithe’s gaze snagged on mine. Stomach fluttering from the vehemence in those eyes, I shook my head at him. His jaw muscles ticked. I could fight my own battles, especially if speaking out meant Raithe would suffer more punishments.
I didn’t understand why he seemed to care.
“Didn’t think so.” Maryn waved her hand. “Back to your place, Guardian.”
Raithe didn’t move. He wouldn’t look at me either. “Don’t,” I whispered so only he could hear.
When at last whatever tension bracketing his body subsided, he retreated from my view.
“That’s a good dog,” Barto snickered.
My fingers curled around my fork. “Talking to yourself, Barto?”
His face reddened. Chessah scoffed. “You?—”
“Now, now.” Maryn held up a hand. Both guards retreated reluctantly. “We are civil beings here, not animals.” Her attention returned to me. “You have not made progress withhudro.”
“It’s coming along,” I said confidently despite my ire.
“Cyrene found it in less than two months.” Maryn sighed. “She was so obedient, poised, and educated. What a shame we’re stuck with you. For now.”
“Civil beingsmy ass,” I mumbled.
“Come again?”
“If you wanted me to succeed, you would join my lessons,” I said instead. “Or at least allow me to shadow you.”
“I won’t waste my time on someone who isn’t going to survive her trial.”
“You’re quite certain of my inevitable demise.”
“And you aren’t?”
I licked my lips, mulling over a retort. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of running away like a scared animal with my tail tucked, despite living isolated and caged amongst the ever-present guards stationed throughout the palace. “Last I checked, neither of us are seers.”
“Virgo’sTempusis quickly approaching,” Maryn stated as she cut into her meal. “The baron’s ball is an excellent time to announce the date of your ceremonial trial and subsequent coronation. Scorpio’sTempussounds perfect.Poetic, even.”
