Protect the Prince (Crown of Shards #2)(97)
I dropped my gaze to the dais. Heinrich was sitting on his throne, wearing a formal, short gray jacket that featured the Ripley gargoyle crest done in black thread over his heart. Dahlia was seated next to him in a small, plain chair. She looked beautiful in a dark green gown trimmed with gold thread. Her black hair was smoothed back into a high, elegant bun, and her gold locket gleamed around her neck like usual.
Dominic was standing beside the king, and the prince looked exceptionally handsome in his gray jacket. Gemma was wearing a dark gray gown that matched her grandfather’s and father’s jackets. The princess was sitting on the dais steps and talking to Alvis, who was sporting a fine black cloak over his clothes.
Rhea was standing a few feet away, speaking with Helene. The captain was wearing her usual uniform and weapons, although her black hair had been pulled back into a pretty braid, and berry balm stained her lips a dark red. And Helene was stunning as always in a pale gray gown patterned with green vines and purple flowers studded with amethysts. She smiled and gestured at something Rhea said, making her silver signet ring flash on her finger.
I didn’t see Sullivan anywhere, and I had to force myself to stop looking for him.
Heinrich had wanted me to make an entrance, so I held my position in the open space in front of the doors, and people slowly started to notice me. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, although I couldn’t tell if they were approving or not. The nobles, servants, and guards all turned toward me, and a hush fell over the room.
Heinrich signaled the orchestra, and their light, lilting music trailed off, replaced by a low, rolling drumbeat. The fluorestones dimmed, although a bright, glaring spotlight fell on me. It was all a bit dramatic for my tastes, but I was the guest, so I couldn’t complain, although the spotlight made me feel like I was back in the gladiator arena at the Black Swan, about to step out into the ring and fight to the death.
In a way, that’s exactly what I was doing.
“And now,” Cho’s voice boomed out like thunder, “announcing Her Royal Majesty, Queen Everleigh Saffira Winter Blair of Bellona!”
The spotlight burned a little brighter and hotter, but I smiled into the harsh glare and strode forward.
Showtime.
*
Unlike the last time I’d been in here, Heinrich and Dominic didn’t wait for me to walk across the room. The two men came down off the dais and met me in the middle.
Dominic offered me his arm, which I took, favoring him with the most dazzling smile I could muster. Dahlia also came down off the dais, and Gemma and Alvis stepped forward as well, along with Rhea and Helene.
The plant magier sidled up to Heinrich, hovering by his elbow. I tensed, thinking she might attack him, but Helene only clasped her hands together, ready to listen to the king’s speech.
I looked past her into the crowd of nobles. Two men were lurking a few feet behind Helene and Dahlia. One was a tall man with coppery hair, hazel eyes, and a fearsome ogre face on his neck, while the other was shorter and stockier with black hair, dark brown eyes, onyx skin, and a long, bushy beard. An ogre face adorned his neck as well.
Halvar, Xenia’s nephew, and Bjarni, his friend, noticed me staring at them. Halvar nodded, while Bjarni winked. They were watching Dominic and Heinrich as planned. Some of the tension eased out of my body.
Murmurs rippled through the nobles, but Heinrich held up his hands, asking for silence.
“We are gathered here to celebrate Queen Everleigh’s visit, along with her engagement to Prince Dominic.” The king’s voice boomed out almost as loudly as Cho’s had. “This marriage will cement Andvari and Bellona as allies from this day forward and also bring greater opportunity and prosperity to both our kingdoms . . .”
Heinrich launched into his speech, droning on and on about what a glorious night this was, how Andvari and Bellona would be allies forevermore after I wed Dominic, and all the other usual pleasantries.
I kept my smile fixed on my face, but I tuned out his words. They didn’t matter tonight. Only people’s actions did.
While Heinrich talked, servants handed out champagne. Helene took two glasses off a tray and gave one to Heinrich. I watched her closely, but she didn’t slip anything into his drink. I drew in a breath, tasting the air, but I didn’t sense any poison in Heinrich’s champagne. Perhaps Helene was going to wait until later before she sprang her trap, whatever it was.
“To Dominic and Everleigh!” Heinrich called out, finishing his speech. “May they have a long and prosperous partnership. To love!”
“To love!” Everyone echoed the words back and took a long drink of their champagne.
After that, the nobles surged forward, each one wanting to congratulate Heinrich on his shrewd new alliance and Dominic and me on our upcoming marriage. As I smiled and nodded and shook hands, I watched everyone who approached the king and the prince, but no one said or did anything suspicious, and Helene kept her distance from them, talking to Dahlia instead.
Finally, all the nobles had been placated, and Heinrich signaled for the musicians to start playing again.
Dominic bowed to me, then held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”
I placed my hand in his, as was expected. “Of course.”
The nobles fell back, and Dominic whirled me around the center of the room. Only the two of us were dancing, and I felt more on display than ever before. Thankfully, that first dance was a short one. Heinrich held out his hand to Dahlia, and the two of them started dancing, along with the nobles.