Rise of Fire (Reign of Shadows #2)(57)

I couldn’t stare at her overly long without attracting undue attention. Even at my brief glance, a slow creep of pink swept up her décolletage and neck. She felt my stare—felt me. That was enough for now.

I lowered my face as Maris warbled on, complaining that her favorite cheese was not on the table. I feigned interest in the food spread out before me, but it was mostly to hide my smile.

My pretend interest in the food was cut short when Tebald rose from the table, clanging a spoon against his goblet to gain everyone’s attention.

Maris was the last to stop talking beside me. Resting a hand on top of my arm as though she was afraid I might vanish on her when she looked in another direction, she swung her gaze toward her father with mild interest.

“Friends.” The king spread his arms wide, the large sleeves of his robes like great purple wings at either side of him. “We have much to celebrate. We are safe behind our walls. Our fortifications have not suffered a breach in these long years.”

A cheer broke out in response to this. Everyone quieted as the king continued, “And we will continue to prosper into the next generation with the marriage of my daughter to Prince Fowler.” He paused for an eruption of further applause. I shifted uneasily, forcing a smile. Several goblets banged on tables in salute. “Lagonia shall not only survive but thrive with a second marriage that will more greatly enforce the union of two kingdoms.” The king lifted his goblet high, and others shouted out and cheered. Even a hound bayed, joining the din.

Everyone drank deeply. I followed suit, deliberately trying not to look in Luna’s direction, to see her reaction to this. Would the words prick at her conscience and make her feel obligated to stay and marry Prince Chasan?

The king’s voice continued, rolling over the room like a hot vapor and pulling me from my thoughts. “Lift your cups again and toast my nuptials to the queen of Relhok.”

Stunned silence met the announcement. I blinked and looked around, gauging expressions, questioning whether I had heard what I heard. Everyone else looked as bewildered as I felt.

Maris was the first to speak. “Father, you mean Chasan’s marriage to Luna, don’t you?”

Tebald’s cheeks rounded above his beard as he smiled. “No.” He shook his head. “I did not misspeak, daughter. I meant my marriage. I’ve had a change of heart. It’s been some years since your mother died. I’m not yet an old man. I’m certain a young bride will invigorate me. A young rose like Luna is the perfect tonic.”

My vision clouded for a moment, rage chugging thick as tar in my veins.

“Father,” Chasan growled in a voice I had never heard him use with his father before. “Don’t do this.” The prince clutched the knife at the side of his plate, his eyes narrowed darkly, and for a moment I thought he might plunge it into his sire. I wouldn’t blame him for that. The thought of the old man’s hands on Luna filled me with a similar impulse.

My reaction was physical—a sick churning in my stomach. Luna had gone pale, the faint pinkness that had been tingeing her cheeks fading away. I lurched from my chair, the blood rushing in my ears as my chair clattered violently behind me.

People stared at me. The king stared at me, but I did not care. I was past caring, past playing the biddable, submissive prince of Relhok.

Chasan rose, too, tossing his napkin down. “She’s not marrying you.”

The king turned his gaze to Chasan. “Have a care, son.”

I cleared my throat, warning myself to stay calm. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

The king turned that cruel smile of his on me. “Prince Fowler, I fear you’re forgetting the conversation we had.” He sat back down. “I warned you, did I not? And you claimed you understood your place.”

I nodded once, inhaling thinly through my nose, fighting to control my temper. “I know my place.”

Chasan stabbed a finger toward the floor. “You’re not putting your rotting paws on her, old man. Not ever. She’ll never marry you.”

A hushed awe fell over the hall. Maris gaped and then quickly looked down, ducking her eyes.

King Tebald lifted his drumming fingers from the arms of his chair and stroked his graying beard. “You risk much standing here saying such words to me, my son. You know men have died for less.”

And yet Chasan didn’t back down. “I do.”

Maris reached for her brother’s arms and tugged, trying to bring him back into his chair. “Chasan, no . . .”

He pulled away.

The king leaned forward. “You know and yet you speak these things to me. You’re either very brave or very stupid. Either way, taking a bride and begetting an heir who is more respectful to his sire strikes me as a fine idea indeed.”

I fought back the urge to launch across the space separating me from the king and wrap my hands around the old man’s neck. I stared at the king, my jaw clenched hard, fighting for restraint.

Maris whispered her brother’s name in a beseeching tone. He paid her no mind, simply shook her off.

My gaze found Luna, still bloodlessly pale. That expressive mouth of hers trembled as though burdened with too much pressure. I looked from her back to the king, then to her again. Her features were tight and pinched with desperation for me to hold silent. I shook my head and opened my mouth.

“Perhaps you would like to retire for the evening, Chasan. You seem quite flushed and agitated. Not yourself at all. Usually you are much more composed.” The king arched a bushy eyebrow at his son, offering him a way out; a last reprieve.