Apprentice (The Black Mage, #2)(36)

But Darren didn't look angry. He looked relieved, pleased even – like I had affirmed what he already believed. "Especially if war is in our future."

I froze. I wasn't sure I had heard him correctly. "Did you just say-"

"Nothing is certain." The prince's eyes fell to my hand on his arm and I blushed, hastily releasing him. "Don't tell anyone, Ryiah. My father and brother are reluctant to say so, but after the news from Mahj there have been several meetings between the Council and the Crown's advisors. They suspect Caltoth played a part."

"I won't."

"Thank you. I probably shouldn't have said anything." His eyes caught mine and he grinned crookedly. "It's just so easy to say things when you are wearing that dress."

I started to nod and then froze as I realized the last part of his remark. "I…" The blood had rushed to my face and I was suddenly very, very aware of how close we were standing. My traitorous body was reacting very happily to the proximity.

"What happened to that one you were wearing that night in Mahj?"

"T-that?" I was a stammering fool. "It's h-hardly appropriate for the palace."

"That's a shame." Darren's garnet eyes refused to leave my face and I thought I would burst into flame. "I never got to tell you then – but you looked really nice that night, Ryiah."

Ian. Ian. Where was Ian? What was wrong with me?

"I know I shouldn't be saying things like that." The prince made a frustrated noise. "But I am tired of-"

"Darren! There you are! Have you any idea how mad Father is? He just spoke to Priscilla – she said that you are staying!"

Irritation flared in Darren's eyes as he turned to regard his older sibling coolly. "Father cannot make me withdraw my apprenticeship. I'm not you. I have no responsibility to remain at the palace!"

"Save it for Father!" Prince Blayne snapped. Ice blue eyes narrowed on me. "You, lowborn, don't you have somewhere else better to be?"

"I was just-"

Darren took a step forward. "Don't talk to Ryiah like that, brother."

"Don't tell me what to do, Darren."

The two glared at one another and I immediately mumbled a hasty excuse and made way to leave.

I was halfway to the library and then I doubled back, realizing I had taken the wrong passage. When I turned the corner I found myself face-to-face with the heir to the throne. Prince Blayne was dressed stiffly in a blood red shift and dark brown trousers. He still had the short brown hair I had seen him with during the first-year trials, and he was wearing a gold chain bearing the signature black hematite of the Crown gem around his neck. Darren had a similar one but I hardly saw him wear it - unlike his older brother who seemed to dress in a constant state of prestige.

"Ryiah, is it?" Blayne said my name slowly, distastefully.

I recoiled. "Stay away from me." I hadn't forgotten what the crown prince had tried to do to Ella. He might be the heir to the throne, but I carried no respect for someone who tried to assault my friend.

Blayne saw the fear and determination in my eyes and he laughed coldly. "Oh, so Ella told you about us, did she? That girl never did know when to shut her mouth." White teeth flashed like a predator. "Not that I didn't try."

I felt a chill run through me and I was at once grateful that Alex and Ella had foregone the ball that evening in favor of a tour of the markets instead. My friend had been afraid of running into Blayne after the ceremony, and it appeared she was right to feel so.

"What do you want?" I was determined to part ways as quickly as possible.

"Ryiah, Ryiah, that is no way to treat a prince."

I said nothing.

"Well, I'll make this short. End your friendship with my brother. Do not get between him and Priscilla."

"I'm not-"

"Don't lie to me," he snarled. "I knew exactly who you were when I came between the two of you back there. And don't think for a moment that I don't know exactly what you are doing… Let me assure you, it will not end well if you continue to try."

"I'm not 'trying' anything!"

"And see to it you don't." He watched me closely. "Priscilla of Langli is worth a quarter of this country's treasury in gold. We need her dowry should we go to war with Caltoth."

I attempted to feign shock.

"Don't look so surprised, Ryiah. I already know my fool brother told you. The servants hear everything."

"Well then why are you telling me? I'm just an 'insignificant lowborn?'" I was growing more and more wary.

"I am letting you know that if you and your precious friends want to live to a nice ripe age you will leave my brother alone."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I am simply reminding you there are consequences to your actions. Darren knows them." He sneered, "But lately he has been suffering an unfortunate state of forgetfulness. I thought it was my duty to find you and remind you of the same – since the two of you are so…" He paused. "Close."

"Darren is my friend. Our friendship isn't going to start a war." I folded my arms defensively. "If you are so concerned about him and Priscilla why don't you just marry her yourself?"