The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1)(26)

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear. The rest of it was tied back with a cord, and I realized that must have been the piece that Jameson cut, and now Silas was left with a section of hair that would not obey. I also realized now that when the sword was brought near Silas’s face, he did not flinch.

“I guess I’ll be on my way, then,” he said. “Don’t want to keep you.”

“What were you doing here, by the way?” I threw out quickly. I wasn’t ready for him to leave, not just yet. “It’s quite a distance from your corner of the castle.”

He pointed up. “Like I said, we’re great thinkers in Isolte, but not great creators. The art here, the architecture . . . there’s something about it. I’d describe it if I could, but I don’t have the words.” He looked back to the windows. “I like watching the light in the glass. It’s . . . calming.”

“It is, isn’t it? All the light cast down looks broken, but if you look up, you can see there was a plan all along.”

He nodded. “And you say you’re no student. I admire how you think, Lady Hollis.” He bowed. “I’ll tell my mother to come see you after breakfast. We’ll probably need Scarlet to stay and help us finish the pieces.”

“I really am sorry.”

He shrugged, his expression easy again. “It was a good idea. Especially given the kings’ tumultuous past. But could you give me some more notice next time you have a stroke of brilliance? A boy can only do so much.”

I giggled. Without thinking, I reached out to reassure him, taking his hand. “I promise.”

Caught off guard, he looked down, staring at our hands. But he didn’t rush to pull his away. And neither did I.

“Thank you, my lady,” he whispered, nodding quickly before vanishing into the corridors of the castle. I watched until he became another shadow of Keresken, blending into the night. And then I looked down at my hand, stretching out my fingers as if I could remove the warm feeling in them.

Shaking my head, I brushed the sensation away. Whatever had just happened, it was the least of my concerns right now. I turned back, looking at the explosion of color on the floor.

If I wanted to, I could walk across the room and knock on the door to Jameson’s apartments. I could tell a guard I needed to speak with the king, urgently. I could tell him how I needed more time, how, as someone not born to the position, I was struggling to keep up.

But.

I looked across the Great Room, considering. I cared for Jameson. I really did. That alone made me want to try harder, to look like I could handle it all, even if I wasn’t quite there yet.

The love of a king could drive one to attempt anything. And there was nothing as intoxicating as being adored by him, and by the people who adored me for his sake. Tomorrow, I would have the privilege of telling my parents about my new rooms. I would get to see the lords as they conceded to Jameson’s desires, knowing that I had been raised not only above every girl in the kingdom, but also above every available princess on the continent. I would, very soon, be queen.

I gazed up at the window one last time, then walked back to my new rooms. It was a bit of a thrill, walking up the stairs to a room that wasn’t just made for royalty, but was also a space independent from my parents. That alone was something to be grateful for. And all those things combined made me ready for anything.





Fourteen




THE FOLLOWING MORNING WAS A bustle of activity as all of my worldly goods were brought up to my new rooms. Amid the chaos, a page arrived carrying a box. He was flanked by two guards who watched as he carefully placed the box on a table. Nora and Delia Grace exchanged a confused look as I gave the page a nod saying he could open it. I thoroughly enjoyed the collective gasp from the girls as they took in the blinding sparkle of the rose-colored necklace.

“My goodness, Hollis!” Delia Grace said, coming to peer over the edge of the box but not daring to touch it.

“This was what was happening that day in the king’s chambers. He was letting me choose something for today.”

“You did a spectacular job,” Nora commented.

“I know that necklace,” Delia Grace said, awestruck. “That was made for Queen Albrade herself, Hollis. That was made for a warrior.”

I smiled, thinking I could use something made for going into war. I was reaching over to pick up the necklace when another page carrying a box walked in. “Forgive me, Lady Hollis,” he said. “His Majesty thought this would go well with your necklace.”

He didn’t wait for instructions to open his package, presumably acting on the king’s orders to shock me. I reached over, clutching Delia Grace’s hand when I took in the headpiece that Jameson had picked out. It was breathtaking, tipped with the same gemstones as the necklace, fanning out like the sun bursting over the horizon.

Like the sun. He’d chosen this with care.

“Help me, ladies. It won’t do if we’re late.” I sat down at my vanity as Delia Grace took the headpiece and Nora carried the necklace.

“You will be exhausted by noon! It’s so heavy.” Nora set the clasp, and once the weight of it was fully on me, I thought she might be right. But, tired or not, I wouldn’t take this thing off my neck until sunset.

“Here,” Delia Grace said, setting the headpiece in my hair and securing it with a few extra pins.