The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1)(74)

Still, they moved alike, and James smiled as much as I imagined Black Knife did.

I shook the thought away. James’s voice was softer than Black Knife’s. Certainly, he could change it, but wouldn’t he have slipped during one of our conversations? Anyway, he was Tobiah’s bodyguard, and Black Knife had declared me dangerous. If James knew I wasn’t Lady Julianna, he’d have never let me get close to Tobiah.

James and I took the next few dances, talking about the music, the food, and palace gossip. As I laughed at one of his jokes, I caught a glimpse of Tobiah across the room. His jaw was clenched, and his chest expanded with a deep breath. A moment later, he leaned down to whisper in his father’s ear.

“I believe your cousin is jealous that you’re spending so much time with me,” I whispered as James walked me in a slow circle. “Not that I want to give up the best—and most forgiving—dance partner, but I suspect he would appreciate your attention after this.”

James chuckled and rolled his eyes, then cast a casual glance over his shoulder. He stiffened. “He’s gone. Excuse me.”

The lieutenant departed, pardoning himself as he slipped between dancers. His eyes stayed on the empty space where Tobiah had been a minute before. The king was gone, too.

Abandoned on the floor, I hesitated only a moment before following. With my gown, it was more difficult to squeeze around dancers, but I caught a flash of James moving out the door.

I emerged into a familiar hallway; the king’s study was nearby, and raised voices fell from the open doorway. James hurried into the room, his movements clipped with annoyance.

With my gown gathered up to hide the rustle of silk, I crept up to the door and parked myself with my back against the wall where they wouldn’t see me if they looked out.

“I can’t.” Tobiah’s voice was a growl.

The king’s words came significantly softer, weaker. “She’ll make a fine queen and a fine wife. You must.”

This wasn’t my business, but I was already eavesdropping. Might as well keep listening.

“I’ve done everything you ever asked. Studied, trained, and made decisions on your behalf. You know I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a good, strong king. Meredith has nothing to do with my being king.”

“But she does.” Terrell heaved a sigh. “I know you will make fair and wise decisions as a king. I know you will be thoughtful and patient. But I’ve never met anyone so opposed to interacting with society. You come across as dismissive and uninterested. I know that’s not who you truly are, but if that’s how your subjects perceive you, they won’t see your strength and wisdom.”

“Father—”

“Meredith is kind and well loved. The people respect her because she respects them—and she shows it. You need her.”

I cringed, but it wasn’t as though the king was wrong. Tobiah had a most unfortunate personality for a crown prince. Well, no. He could be worse. I didn’t know him well, but I didn’t think he was reckless or abusive. Just . . . bored.

“I don’t,” insisted Tobiah. “I can get better.”

“Is there something objectionable about Lady Meredith?”

Tobiah hesitated. “No. I just—I don’t love her.”

There was a long pause, and I imagined the king rubbing his temples or performing some other delaying tactic. “Son, I’m dying. You know that. The kingdom needs a strong pair of rulers—and it needs an heir.”

“Don’t speak so brazenly about dying.” Tobiah’s voice turned rough. “Don’t tempt fate, Father.”

“I’m not tempting anything. I’ve already made peace with what I have and haven’t accomplished in my time. The only thing I have left is seeing you and Meredith married and ready to take the throne when I go.”

“Father.” The prince’s voice broke. “Father, please.”

“I won’t change my mind. You’ve given me no good reason to reconsider. You need Meredith for your image. She’s of high rank and will make a good queen.” Though his voice was weak, Terrell sounded immovable. “Set a date. We won’t have this conversation again.”

A heartbeat later, Tobiah stormed out of the office, his fists curled at his sides. His expression was raw. Wrecked. Then his glare locked on me standing there with my back pressed against the wall, obviously having listened to every word. His face turned frigid.

James strode out after the prince, and stared when he saw the prince staring at me. Then Tobiah jerked his head down the hall, and James placed his hands behind his back, the prince’s obedient servant.

The prince bowed stiffly in my direction. “My cousin and I have something to discuss, but I’m sure you won’t have trouble finding a new dance partner.”

I curtsied. “Good evening, Your Highness. Lieutenant.”





TWENTY-EIGHT


THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION was long over and Melanie had fallen asleep in her room, but I couldn’t put my mind to rest. I kept thinking about the ball, about the inquiry and the silver ospreys carrying swords and daggers into flight, and whenever my eyes closed, my imagination conjured images of immense creatures with strangely colored fur, trees with teeth, and swarms of locusts beating down on me.

“Wilhelmina.”