Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1)(23)

“He was coming at me. You saw it yourself.”

“He didn’t have a weapon!”

“He had fists. He had rage. He could have strangled me right where I stood.”

“Theon wouldn’t have let that happen.”

“Theon?” He frowned. “Oh, the guard? Listen, Cleo. I know that it upset you—but it happened and there’s no going back. Put it out of your mind.”

“I wish I could, but I can’t.” She exhaled shakily. “I don’t like death.”

He laughed and she gave him a sharp look. He sobered immediately. “Apologies, but of course you don’t like death. Who does? It’s messy and it’s unpleasant, but it happens. Often.”

“Do you wish it hadn’t happened?”

“What? The peasant’s son’s death?”

“His name was Tomas Agallon,” she said quietly. “He had a name. He had a life and a family. He was happy and laughing when he came to the stall. He was going to go to his sister’s wedding—did you see the look on her face? She was destroyed. The argument never should have happened in the first place. If you liked the wine so much, you should have paid Silas Agallon a fair price for it.”

Aron leaned his shoulder against the wall next to the door. “Oh, Cleo, don’t tell me you really care about such things.”

She frowned. “Of course I do.”

He rolled his eyes. “Please. A wine seller’s livelihood in Paelsia? Since when do you concern yourself with such unimportant matters? You’re a princess of Auranos. You can have absolutely anything you desire, whenever you desire it. All you need to do is ask and it’s yours.”

Cleo wasn’t sure how this had anything to do with a wine seller’s asking price. “Is that really how you see me?”

“I see you for exactly what you are. A beautiful princess. And I am sorry I can’t be as brokenhearted over all of this as you want me to be. I killed him. It happened. I did what I had to do at the time, and I don’t regret it.” A hard edge went through his gaze. “I acted on instinct alone. I’ve hunted many times before, but this was different. To take the life of another...I’ve never felt so powerful in my entire life.”

A shiver of revulsion went through her. “How can you sound so calm about this?”

He fixed her with a steady look. “Would you rather I lie and say I have nightmares too? Would that ease your own guilt?”

She deflated. That had been exactly what she’d wanted. “I want the truth.”

“And that’s what I’ve given you. You should be grateful, Cleo. There aren’t too many people who speak the truth around here, even when they’re asked for it.”

Aron was handsome. He was from a noble family. He had a wry wit and a keen mind. And she’d never disliked anyone as much as she did him.

She couldn’t marry him. There was simply no way.

A steely resolve flowed through her. Before visiting Paelsia, she’d been willing to yield—to a point—and allow her father to make an important decision like this for her. After all, he was the king.

“Have you heard of my father’s plans?” she asked him.

Aron cocked his head, his gaze steady on her face. “Changing subjects so soon?”

“Perhaps.”

“I am sorry you’re upset about what happened in Paelsia.”

He said it without any emotion, not even a flicker. He might be vaguely sorry that she was upset, but he wasn’t filled with remorse that it happened, nor was he haunted by the echoes of the grieving brother’s death threat.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Now—have I heard of your father’s plans?” He crossed his arms over his chest and walked a slow circle around her. She suddenly felt like a fawn being observed by a hungry wolf. “Your father is the king. He has many plans.”

“The plan involving the two of us,” she said simply, turning as he turned so they could maintain eye contact.

“Our engagement.”

She stiffened. “That’s the one.”

“When do you think he’ll announce it?”

A cold trickle of perspiration slid down her spine. “I don’t know.”

He nodded. “This came as a shock to you.”

She let out another shaky sigh. “I’m only sixteen.”

“It’s young for an announcement like this, I agree.”

“My father likes you.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual.” He cocked his head to the other side. “I like you too, Cleo, in case you’ve forgotten. Don’t doubt that, if that’s what this is all about.”

“It’s not.”

“This shouldn’t have been a huge surprise for you. There’s been talk for some time that we’d eventually be matched.”

“So you’re fine with this?”

He shrugged a shoulder, his gaze sweeping the length of her in a predatory manner. “Yes, I’m fine with it.”

Say it, Cleo. Don’t let this go on a moment longer.

She cleared her throat. “I don’t know if it’s such a good idea.”

He stopped circling. “Excuse me?”

“This—this match. It doesn’t feel right. Not right now, anyway. I mean, we’re friends. Of course we are. But we’re not...” Her mouth was dry. For a fleeting moment, she wished for some wine—any wine—to help the world seem golden and wonderful again.