Page 77 of Hunger & Harmony

Not surprising. Also not any easier to hear out loud.

“No.” Niko stands, and Ezren takes a half step back. “You tell my aunt and her caustic underlings we haven’t the time of night for their politics.”

My hands bunch up the blanket.

“They said it wasn’t your decision to deny,” Ezren whispers, and Niko’s shoulders tense.

“I am the reigning king. It will always be my decision.”

“I’m going.”

They both pause, an equal amount of confusion on their faces as they look at me. I ease myself upright again and hold steady. Pain echoes in my bones, but I’m trying to push past it.

Quickly fixing his gawk, Niko turns and sits beside me again.

“No.” He tries to grasp my arm again. “You have no clue what you’re up against.”

“Well . . .” I slip past his hands and hoist myself up. “Given you haven’t explained anything, maybe they will.”

“What—”

Niko stares in disbelief as I get to my feet, shaky but at least standing on my own. A gasp rips up Ezren’s throat before he whips around.

“C-Cadence,” Niko says, his eyes wavering from my determined frown.

When I follow his gaze, I realize whatever nightgown I ended up in isn’t hiding much. Without the blanket, my whole body shimmers under translucent fabric, including Niko’s necklace prominent between my breasts. There’s not a single other bit of clothing, not even panties.

And this foolish king is looking right at me.

“Don’t look!” I exclaim, arms flailing both at him and in an attempt to cover myself.

“I’m sorry!” he says, stumbling back in defense.

“I will let them know you’re getting ready . . .” Ezren whispers frantically, his footsteps scurrying towards the door that slams shut a moment later.

Red blazes across my face and neck, and I continue pouting even when Niko turns around. My ragged breathing fills the silence, only joined by his soft words a full minute later.

“Do you need help getting ready?”

“No!” I huff, turning to look for the bathroom or at least my suitcases. “You’ve helped enough.”

“I wasn’t suggesting myself,” he says. “Selene dressed and took care of you all morning.”

A small scoff escapes my lips.

“Will she tell me what’s going on?” I ask.

His sigh is small, but I feel the weight of it. As if I wouldn’t ask these questions. It’s almost insulting how cagey he’s being.

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. There’s just . . .so much to explain. Delicate details and intricate history.”

My arms cross over my chest.

“Tell me this, then.” I narrow my eyes at his back. “Is there a way to reverse whatever happened?”

His shoulders slump, and the room feels like it’s spinning again.

“No.”