Protect the Prince (Crown of Shards #2)(56)

My gaze flicked over to Sullivan, who was talking to Heinrich, Dominic, and Gemma. I could understand and sympathize with a love that could never be.

Eventually, my path led me over to Dahlia, who was sipping champagne and chatting with Helene. They were the last two people I wanted to see right now, but it would have been rude to ignore them, so I plastered a smile on my face.

“Lady Sullivan, Lady Blume.” I tilted my head to them. “How lovely to see you both again.”

“And you as well. And I daresay the circumstances tonight will be far better than they were earlier, eh?” Dahlia smiled, her eyes crinkling with what seemed like genuine warmth. “And please, call me Dahlia. Any friend of Lucas’s is a friend of mine.”

“Thank you. And please call me Everleigh. And thank you for the refreshments that were waiting in my chambers. That was very thoughtful.”

Dahlia toasted me with her champagne glass.

I turned to Helene. “And, Lady Blume, please call me Everleigh as well.”

“Thank you, and please call me Helene. Lady Blume reminds me too much of my mother.” She crinkled her nose, which somehow made her look even lovelier. “It’s an honor to meet you, Everleigh. Gemma has been regaling us with tales of your bravery for weeks.”

“The princess is too kind,” I murmured.

I glanced over at the table. Gemma winked at me, and I winked back at her. She was the only child here, but she seemed more than capable of holding her own. Then again, princesses tended to grow up faster than most. They had to in order to survive all the cruel games people wanted to play with them.

“Tell me, Everleigh, what are your plans during your visit?” Dahlia asked. “I would love to host you for breakfast in the morning.”

I studied her, but her request seemed sincere. Besides, I could hardly say no, since she was the king’s mistress and Sullivan’s mother. “That would be lovely.”

Dahlia smiled at me, then turned to Helene. “And of course you’ll come too, my dear.”

“Of course,” Helene said. “I’m quite interested to hear your stories, Everleigh, especially about life in the Black Swan troupe. Is it true that you killed another gladiator in a black-ring match?”

Thankfully, a series of bells rang out, saving me from having to answer.

Everyone took their places. The nobles were positioned at the tables along the walls, with the royal family sitting at the center table. To my surprise, Sullivan was seated on one side of the king, with Dahlia on the other. Helene was next to Sullivan, with Rhea across from her. And finally Gemma and Dominic were seated next to me, since I was at the opposite end of the table from Heinrich.

Serilda, Cho, Paloma, and Xenia were relegated to one of the tables with Alvis and the nobles.

I drew in a breath, discreetly tasting the air, but I didn’t smell the hot, jalape?o rage that I’d sensed in the throne room. It didn’t seem as though the person who wanted me dead had been invited to dinner. Perhaps my secret enemy was only a minor noble, servant, or guard, someone who could be more easily dealt with than the rich, powerful, and important people here. Either way, I relaxed a bit.

More bells rang, and servants carrying bowls and platters streamed into the room. And so the dinner began.

The food was excellent. Cold and hot soups brimming with spices. Light, refreshing salads with crisp lettuces, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressings. Platters of exotic cheeses paired with sweet fruits and crunchy nuts. Baskets of hard, crusty baguettes slathered with savory dill and other herb butters.

The main course was a red-pepper-crusted steak with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon and dripping with honey butter. For dessert, there were raspberry, blackberry, and kiwi sorbets served with thin, crispy vanilla shortbread cookies. It was one of the best meals I’d ever had, and I enjoyed every single bite. Especially since nothing was poisoned.

During the meal, the conversation stayed lighthearted and innocuous. Everyone was doing their best to pretend that the throne room fight hadn’t happened, and I went along with them, asking questions about the food, the weather, and all the other usual chitchat.

Every once in a while, I would look at the other end of the table to find Heinrich studying me with narrowed eyes. Beside me, Dominic did the same thing, although he seemed far more nervous than contemplative like his father did. The two of them were definitely planning something.

Eventually, the dishes were cleared away, and the nobles said their goodbyes to the king and streamed out of the hall, leaving the people at the main table—Heinrich, Sullivan, Dahlia, Helene, Rhea, Dominic, Gemma, and me.

Serilda, Cho, Xenia, Paloma, and Alvis also stayed behind, although they took up positions along the wall next to the Bellonan and Andvarian guards.

“Now that we’ve enjoyed a fine meal, it’s time we get down to business,” Heinrich pronounced, staring at me. “If that is agreeable with you, Everleigh.”

“Of course, Heinrich. We have much to discuss.”

“Yes, we do.” A shadow passed over his face. “But first and foremost, I would like to know exactly what happened to my son. Alvis has told me, of course, and Gemma and Lady Xenia too, but I would still like to hear it from you.”

My stomach clenched. I had expected him to ask me about the massacre, and I had come prepared. But he wouldn’t like what I was about to show him. None of the Andvarians would.