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But I liked it. Kisses, like being spoiled, were something I wanted to get used to as soon as possible.

“My lady,” said Faline, “we must arrive at court before the king, or you’ll have no time to mingle.”

“Off you go,” Kat said gently.

I kissed her hands, my admiration for her overwhelming as I stood and joined Faline and Eliza once again.

CHAPTER10CALLIOPE

The idea that I was to marry the king was a bit distressing, but Kat’s words had encouraged me—I was more than capable of surviving a formality, especially if I could find true love within the walls of the palace. Besides, the benefits of being the wife of the God King outweighed my fears.

We turned a corner, and my heart suddenly felt lighter as I looked toward two large doors and found Beric waiting there, holding a velvet bag. Albert was so excited to see him he accidentally bumped Faline as he moved around us, rubbing her arm gently and kissing her hand before he walked ahead to greet Beric. Everyone here was so wonderful on their own, and what made things better was that they were all friends. I’d just left an unwelcoming environment in my aunt and uncle’s house, even if a reminder of that home was right beside me, and I was glad I wouldn’t have to live the rest of my life in one.

Even if the king was exceedingly unnerving.

I smiled as Beric looked in my direction, and felt a small disappointment as he quickly looked away and whispered something to Albert. But when they began walking toward us, my heart beat with a lightness all over again. It was strange, these back-and-forth emotions for a boy I hardly knew, but I could honestly say I was relieved to see him. That he had truly kept his word when he told me we’d see each other at court.

“And now,” Eliza said to me, as Beric and Albert reached us, “the finishing touch.”

Beric removed an item from the bag and unwrapped it, revealing a copper-colored piece of armor. I gasped. It was truly incredible, so shiny I swear I could almost see my reflection in it. There were embellishments along the perimeter, filigree and flora etched into it.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

Beric gave the faintest of grins. “I’m glad you’re pleased with it, my lady.”

Before I could mention Ann and how she was supposed to be my squire—though truthfully, right then I was having trouble remembering why I should keep up the pretense when she was doing nothing to maintain it herself—Beric set to fitting the shoulder armor onto me. It fit like a glove, as if it had been made for me alone—but that couldn’t be, I’d only arrived today. Yet it felt like mine, and I felt like a true knight wearing it.

“Observe, gentlemen,” said Eliza, gesturing to me, “a goddess in her natural habitat.”

Albert smiled, giving a polite round of applause.

Beric merely nodded. “Thank you, princess. Would you mind if I had a private moment alone with Lady Cali? I’ll send her along with Albert momentarily.”

His tone wasn’t any friendlier than it had been during the audition, so I supposed this was the most I could ever expect from him. Still better than interacting with the king.

Besides, I bet I could make Beric smile before the end of the night.

Eliza raised a brow, and she and Beric gave each other significant looks, which I couldn’t begin to understand, before she linked arms with Faline and walked toward the large doors ahead of us.

Anise lingered, the word private calling to her like a moth to a flame. I forced my expression to stay calm.

Beric’s gaze settled on me, and I found myself wishing I had something to occupy my hands. “You do look lovely, my lady.”

I smiled, rubbing my hands down the skirt of my dress. “Thank you, Beric.”

“Lord Beric, in public, my lady,” Albert corrected politely, gesturing for a guard.

I tried not to look as flustered as I felt. How was I to get anything right around here if no one told me anything? As if titles were on a need-to-know basis. “Forgive me, my lord. I wish I had known sooner—I feel I may have disrespected you at the audition.”

“You were perfectly agreeable, my lady,” Beric replied. Still, he did not smile. “And Beric is just fine, between us.”

“Unhand me!” Anise’s voice cut through, shrill and piercing, and by the time I had turned, the guard Albert had summoned was already dragging her away.

Anise might have constantly given me a hard time about my behavior in public, but she was more like her mother than she’d like to admit—loudly defiant against anyone who would oppose her. And she said my whistling had been obnoxious? Still, I had to fix this, and fast.

“She’s allowed to accompany me,” I said to the guard, but he kept moving in the direction he’d been told, so I looked to Beric. “Stop him, at once.”

“Forgive me, but was this your plan from the beginning?” he said. “Whichever of you won the position would bring the other along? Your summons to court did not include a guest.”