The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1)(29)

I inhaled sharply, hating that I could feel my skin turning red.

“Excuse me?”

He motioned up to the dais where Queen Valentina was sitting beside my empty seat. “What do you see up there?”

“A queen,” I replied firmly.

Etan shook his head. “That is an empty vessel, chosen to be something nice to look at.”

“Etan, that’s enough,” Silas growled. But his cousin would not be deterred.

“If you don’t know what’s happening along your own border, what’s happening to your own people, I can only conclude that you, my lady, are exactly the same: decoration for your king.”

I swallowed, wishing I were as cold and clever as Delia Grace. She would have torn this boy to shreds. But part of me sensed that, on some level, he was right. If I was soon to be queen, I had to look at the line of women I was going to be added to.

I was no soldier. I was no cartographer. I wasn’t book smart or exceedingly kind or remarkable in any way that anyone had ever taken note of.

I was pretty. And there was nothing wrong with that, but on its own, that had very little value. Even I knew that.

Still, I refused to be shamed for being the one thing I was capable of.

“Better an ornament from Coroa than a knave from Isolte,” I hissed, pulling my head up high. “Welcome to Coroa, Lord and Lady Northcott. So glad you could come.” With that, I turned on my heel and returned to my seat, which I hoped Etan noted was basically a throne. I drew the image of the sun rising over the river to mind, thinking of things that made me happy and calm.

I was not going to cry. Not here, not now. I wasn’t going to give anyone in this room—particularly someone from Isolte—reason to think that I was not poised and patient and good enough to be at the right hand of a king.





Fifteen




“PLEASE,” I BEGGED. “SHE’S TERRIBLE.”

Jameson chuckled as he walked around his private rooms, removing some of the heavier accessories he was wearing now that the opening of our visit had officially passed. “They’re all terrible,” he agreed.

“She thinks she’s so superior. I cannot spend an evening with her.” I crossed my arms, remembering her pinched face. “I’d rather eat in the stables.”

He laughed outright at that, the sound matching the roars of the crowds still gathered on the other side of the door. “As would I! But don’t you worry, my Hollis. This visit is a short one, and they’ll be gone soon enough.” He came close, wrapping his hands around my waist. “And we can get back to more important things.”

I smiled. “You are the most important thing in my world. So, if you insist I eat a meal with that wretched lady, I will.”

He put a hand under my chin, tilting my face up to his. “I will spare you. This time,” he added in a tone that was close to serious. “But unfortunately, I have to be at dinner tonight with Quinten to talk through a few deals and trades . . . things that would bore you. So go ahead. Spend the night with your ladies.”

I took the hand that was beneath my chin and held it up so I could kiss it. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

There was a glittering look of satisfaction in his eyes, and it was difficult to concentrate under the weight of his stare.

“You’d best get back,” he said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make an excuse for you tonight.”

“Tell her I suffocated under a pile of Isolten dresses,” I joked, and left with the sound of his laughter ringing in my ears.

Outside, Delia Grace and Nora waited anxiously. “Come, ladies, I’m not feeling well,” I said in mock solemnity. “I think it’s best I retire for now.”

Delia Grace caught on right away, and she fell into step behind me as I walked cautiously through the crowd. In a corner, I finally caught sight of my parents. My mother was looking down her nose as people came up to her, presumably to congratulate her and Father on their great success. Wouldn’t it be something to tell everyone I’d been chosen by the king by being the opposite of everything they’d tried to turn me into?

Even with all that had happened, they hardly spoke to me, save to correct me or attempt to make a decision on my behalf. Their distance only made it that much easier to defy them.

I looked over my shoulder at Nora. “Why don’t you gather a few other ladies to come by my room? It will be nice to have some more people in that space.”

“Of course, my lady,” she replied gleefully.

“I’ll see if we can get ahold of a musician or two. Make an afternoon of it,” I thought aloud. This plan was sounding better by the minute. I caught Nora before she moved too far. “And get ahold of Scarlet Eastoffe if you can. In fact, if the entirety of the Eastoffe family would like to escape the presence of their former king, tell them they are welcome in my apartments.”

She nodded and broke off to build us a small party. At least this day could take a slight turn for the better; I’d been saved from an evening in the company of Valentina, and now I got to dance instead.

Nora opened the door for Yoana and Cecily as I helped Delia Grace put the last of the chairs against the wall.

The main space in the greeting area was now cleared for dancing and talking, and I’d called up one of the court musicians so we could have music. After the madness of moving and the tension of meeting Valentina, this was going to be a treat.