The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(47)

“Very well. I’ll just stand here and let everyone see you snub me.”

“I’m sure no one will blame me.” I started to turn away, but he grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“It’s a good offer, Your Highness.”

I pitched my voice low and dangerous. “If you do not remove your hand from me, I will remove it from you.”

A smile sliced across his face. “Wouldn’t that bring talk?”

People around us were beginning to notice our exchange. A few lifted eyebrows. Kevin paused his pursuit of Alana Todd.

“Dance with me, Your Highness, or I promise you will never retake your kingdom.”

My stomach turned over, but everyone was watching now. I caught James take a step forward, and Tobiah motion him back.

“Very well.” Because I wouldn’t let them see me weak. “One dance. Make your proposal quick. And do not touch me again.”

Prince Colin pulled away and bowed, and on the dance floor, he placed his hands behind his back.

I buried my fists in my skirts and tried to ignore the stares of surrounding nobility. “Well? You have until the end of this dance.” The waltz was halfway through, thank saints. And while it was awkward, uncomfortable even, to dance with our hands down, I would not let him get closer than a low speaking voice would carry.

“You want Aecor Territory returned.”

“You know I do.”

“And I would be happy to return it to you—in exchange for a piece of information.”

The room suddenly seemed too cold, but I kept my tone mild. “I doubt I’ll be able to help you.”

“Oh, I’m sure you can. It has to do with my nephew and his miraculous recovery. I’m so pleased, you understand. I was afraid I might lose a nephew in addition to a brother, but by Terrell’s memorial, he seemed quite well.”

“We’re all fortunate His Majesty’s injuries were not as dire as announced. Unfortunately we weren’t able to flush out Patrick Lien, but he’s no longer in the city, and no longer a threat to King Tobiah’s life.”

“I wouldn’t say that, Your Highness. My people in Aecor Territory inform me that Lien is not heading for the locations presumed by Captain Rayner’s, ah, intelligence.”

The list of resistance groups Melanie had left flitted through my mind. Had she been wrong? Had Patrick caught her? Or . . . No, I couldn’t believe she would play both sides. Not after everything we’d been through.

Prince Colin could be lying.

“Lien remains a threat,” said Prince Colin. “And I think we both know what he wants. What you want, too.”

To declare myself queen.

“I’m willing to give you that opportunity. Save your kingdom the war. Save the Indigo Kingdom from fighting both the wraith and your people.”

Loathing surged through me. This was a man with no shame, and no sympathy for the people in either kingdom. Not for the soldiers who’d be fighting the war, and certainly not for the civilians who’d be caught in the middle. “If you’re so concerned, why angle for an exchange? Why not just acknowledge my birthright?”

“It’s never wise to give away something valuable.” He glanced toward Tobiah and Francesca. “Not without certainty of receiving something more valuable in return.”

“And that would be?”

“My prize is none of your concern.” He stopped moving as the music ended. “I suppose we’re out of time.”

“What exactly do you want to know?” My heart pounded as we stepped off the dance floor. The hum of conversation kept us from being overheard, but still I caught questions in the eyes of my friends.

“My man saw you the morning after the shooting. He said you nearly killed him.” Prince Colin smiled again. “He saw my nephew standing when, hours before, I’d seen a hole in my nephew’s stomach. I want to know what happened.”

“Nothing happened.” Lying, at least, had always come easy. I gave away nothing.

“I know you have no love for my nephew, Princess. It’s such a small thing to trade for your kingdom.”

Meaning if I told him what Connor had done, he’d use the information to malign Tobiah and take the Indigo Kingdom—a much better prize than Aecor, at least until the wraith arrived.

But if I didn’t, he’d believe it confirmation of what he hinted to Meredith earlier.

Meredith, who hadn’t budged when he’d approached her. She was stronger than I’d realized.

When Prince Colin saw us together tonight, having gotten nothing out of her earlier, he’d decided to change tactics with his other target: offer me the thing I wanted most, rather than try to frighten me from it.

“What you saw the night of the shooting was your nephew feigning sleep, and covered with cosmetics,” I said. “It was an illusion meant to fool everyone. We hoped news of his condition would put Patrick at ease, making him easier to capture.”

The music began for another dance, and couples moved toward the floor again.

“I see.” Prince Colin smoothed the sleeves of his jacket. “That’s not what I was expecting to hear, but if you decide to change your answer, the offer stands until”—he seemed to think—“winter solstice eve.”

The day before Tobiah and Meredith got married.