Protect the Prince (Crown of Shards #2)(89)

I didn’t think that it was possible, but my heart somehow sped up and stopped, soared and plummeted, swelled with happiness and cracked apart with grief, all at the same time. He really did care about me. And I had just ruined all that care, concern, and warmth with my lies.

“And now I’ve chosen something else, someone else. I’ve disappointed you, hurt you, let you down just like Helene did.” I didn’t want to compare myself to the other woman, but I couldn’t deny the similarities.

Sullivan gave me a thin smile, but the expression was utterly devoid of warmth. “You have to care about someone in order for them to hurt and disappoint you. And I think it’s past time that I cared about you at all, Queen Everleigh.”

This was the first time he had ever called me by my full name and rank, but those two simple words cut me to the bone, as though he had buried his sword in my chest.

Sullivan pressed his fist to his heart in the traditional Andvarian style and dropped into a deep, mocking bow before snapping back upright. “I hope that you enjoy the upcoming royal ball, Queen Everleigh, along with your marriage to my brother. I wish the two of you nothing but happiness, and I hope that you both get exactly what you deserve.”

Sullivan gave me another cold, angry glare, then marched over to the doors. He yanked one of them open, then stormed through to the other side and slammed it shut behind him.

The resulting bang was hard enough to rattle the wall tapestries and more than sharp enough to completely shatter what was left of my heart.





Chapter Twenty


That evening, I had dinner in the dining hall with the king, just like the night before.

Well, it wasn’t just like the night before. In fact, it was just about the weirdest reversal of fortune and the furthest it could get from the previous meal. For one thing, Heinrich was in a boisterous, jovial mood. I didn’t know whether it was because I’d cleansed the mysterious poison out of his system or if he was simply happy that I’d agreed to marry Dominic, but he made toast after toast to my health, Dominic’s health, and everything in between.

I watched the king closely, as well as everyone he came into contact with, but Heinrich had no lingering effects from the poison, and no one seemed upset that he suddenly appeared so much healthier. The traitor had to be someone close to the king, but if they realized that I’d derailed their poisonous scheme, they hid it extremely well.

I was seated to Heinrich’s left, with Dominic across from me. Dahlia was seated next to me, with Gemma across from her. Alvis and Helene were also at the table. Paloma, Serilda, and Cho were at another table, while Captain Rhea was standing along the wall with the Andvarian guards. Xenia was off doing whatever it was she did, which should include filling in Halvar and Bjarni on my plan and securing them invitations to the royal ball.

More than once, I tried to catch Rhea’s eye, but she didn’t look at me. Couldn’t blame her for that. Dominic kept staring at her, but she didn’t so much as glance at him either. Well, at least I wasn’t the only one she was shunning.

Sullivan’s seat was empty.

Of course Sullivan’s absence didn’t go unnoticed, but the big news was still my engagement to Dominic, and everyone watched us, wondering how we would react now that the deal had been struck.

For his part, Dominic was kind, witty, and gracious, asking me about Bellona, my childhood, and more. He played the part of the doting fiancé to perfection, and I couldn’t have asked him to be more attentive. No wonder they called him Prince Charming.

I smiled, talked, and laughed, playing my role to the hilt as well. I even batted my eyes, reached across the table, and squeezed his hand on occasion, as though I was already besotted with him—or at least with the thought of marrying him and shoring up my own throne.

Oh, yes. I gave everyone in the dining hall a grand performance, perhaps the best of my life. No doubt the traitor had already heard about the engagement, but I wanted the news of exactly how bloody ecstatic I was to spread through every nook, cranny, and corner of the palace. The more gossip I caused and the more people I convinced, the more likely it was that the traitor would make another move, either against Heinrich, Dominic, or me.

After dinner, Dominic and I took a leisurely stroll through the palace to further sell the illusion of how deeply committed we suddenly were to each other. He led me from room to room, showing me swords, jewelry, and other treasures, as well as introducing me to the richer and more important nobles. The Andvarians might still be angry because of the Seven Spire massacre, but they were all exceedingly eager to use my marriage to their prince to further their own fortunes in Bellona.

By the time Dominic left me outside my chambers, with a chaste kiss to my hand, my cheeks ached from smiling so long and hard. But my night’s work was just beginning.

Calandre and her sisters helped me undress and drew me a hot bath. They hovered around for almost an hour before I finally managed to shoo them away, claiming that I was exhausted and going to bed.

The second they left, I stripped off my night clothes and changed into a tunic, leggings, and boots. My sword and dagger were hooked to my belt like usual, and I also grabbed a blue cloak from the armoire and drew the hood over my head, casting my face in shadow.

A knock sounded on the door, and Paloma stepped inside. “Are you ready?”

I nodded. “Let’s go.”

Paloma was wearing a forest-green cloak, and she too had pulled up her hood to hide her braided blond hair and face. She had sent the guards away on some nonsense errand, so no one saw us leave my chambers.