Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(46)

“I’m not sure if anybody has told you this, Olina, but you have blue eyes,” Sanjay stage-whispers.

The tension explodes into a boom of laughter. I mouth my thank-you to him, wondering at a small frown between his brows as he studies my face. I don’t have time to wonder for long; a line is forming.

“I’ve always wondered why Frost saved me that day in the Dome,” Malir says seriously. “Thank you, Tatuma. I’m sorry you were ever in that position.”

“Malir, you know to call me Olina. And I do have to say, it’s quite interesting to experience the Dome from the other side—as someone facing execution, not just watching. I’ve been speaking to the king about it, as well. But at least you can put your mind to rest about your security on the migration. It was easy to sneak out as a Bruma.” He beams at me and looks sheepishly at Sadra next to him. She clicks her tongue at him and moves to kiss my forehead.

“Well, my dear, it seems you were looking out for us the entire time. I thank you all over again for saving my husband. Though I haven’t enjoyed listening to him fret about gaps in his migration strategies.” It’s my turn to be sheepish. Malir flashes me a grin.

Crystal’s next. She punches me lightly on the shoulder and pulls back as though burned. “Oops. Can I do that now that you’re a Tatuma?” She darts an anxious look behind me. I turn to see a stern Jovan there. I raise my eyebrows at him, but he doesn’t break from his tense posture.

I smile as I peer back into the eyes of my Ire friend. “I’ve always been the Tatuma. You treat me as you did before.”

She gasps. “You made me help a Solati escape the king!”

Uh-oh. Jovan didn’t know it was her. She goes on as I share an uneasy look with Alzona. Crystal extended an offer of help when she thought Jovan was taking advantage of me after surviving the Dome. I’d escaped after sleeping with the king, and the young woman had led me to the Ire to save me. I’ve dreaded the day she discovered I wasn’t actually in trouble at the time, just wanting some space from Glacium’s leader. To say Jovan had been pissed was an understatement. I hope he doesn’t turn his grudge against the petite woman.

“I mean, I knew you were mixed, but I thought he was making you have sex with him against your will or something.”

I resist the urge to cover my face as Alzona leans forward and covers Crystal’s mouth, dragging her out of the line. I feel two points on my back where the king is staring into my back. I don’t dare look at my brother.

I turn my red face instead to Adnan. He’s one of the only people here who won’t pursue the sex comment. He holds his hand out for the veil.

“I’ve always been most curious about this material. May I?” he asks. I wordlessly pass it over and get a quick smile from him. I smile back, knowing what he wants say, though he can’t find the words—not without a fair amount of brew anyway. He’s most comfortable when Sanjay is in the immediate conversation.

I go through them all; Blizzard and Ice, who seem to think it’s a great joke—like Shard. Avalanche gives me a hug tight enough to crush every bone in my body.

“How long have you known?” I ask Rhone when he approaches. His face splits into a rare smile.

“I suspected when I saw your interaction with the king in the Dome. There were the obvious clues: the height, the chest size,” he gestures. I cover my chest with my arms self-consciously. Olandon moves to my side.

Rhone glances over at Crystal. “I’d also seen you lay Kedrick on his back when he snuck up on you that time on Osolis. But I was sure you were Olina, and not the other short girl over there, when I brought Kaura into the food hall.”

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I ask. A larger grin is my only response before Sanjay shoves Rhone.

“You knew? And you didn’t tell me? Your best bud? Why?” Sanjay jokes.

Rhone snorts. “I can keep my mouth shut, that’s why.”

Sanjay presses a hand to his chest as though he’s injured. “Why do I have a feeling there’s an ‘Unlike you, Sanjay’ at the end of that sentence.”

I giggle, turning to share the moment with Jovan. He’s scowling at the back corner. He sees me watching and quickly changes his expression, giving me a hurried smile. It’s too late; I’ve noticed something is wrong. The delegates have purposely been blocking my view of Jacky and Roman. The smile drops from my face as I see they’re fighting ferociously in low voices. The noise becomes steadily louder, making it harder and harder to pretend we can’t hear them.

Roman looks up and sees the rest of us standing awkwardly. He flings Jacquiline’s hand from his arm and stalks to me with a stinging glare aimed her way. The king stands in front of me at his approach. I touch Jovan’s elbow and step to his side. Roman licks his lips, darting a look at his king.

“Olina, my dear friend. I’m so terribly sorry for the ordeals you’ve been through, and I am honored, both on my behalf, and on Jacquiline’s, that you deemed us worthy of telling. The man who captures your interest is a very lucky man indeed, for you are courageous and loyal to a fault.”

His words are sincere, though I wonder if he’s overdoing it to anger Jacquiline. He should have known Jacky isn’t one to simmer in silence.

“You can keep my name from that speech, husband,” she says through clenched teeth.