I nodded solemnly. “I see. These are unforgivable offenses and I’m deeply scandalized.”
A smile lit his eyes. “At last, I’m not the only one to see his true nature.”
“And now he has a fiancée. What will she do when she discovers these dark truths? Didn’t you warn her?”
“The fair duchess would not be swayed from her decision to accept his proposal. No matter how often I complimented her beauty, she still chose him. Ah, to be a prince.” He pressed his hand to his heart.
“Lieutenant Rayner, do I perceive that you are something of a flirt?”
“My heart is simply more open than most people’s.” As the first dance ended, James offered a deep bow. “You’re not as terrible a dancer as you claimed, Lady Julianna.” He offered his arm.
Face ducked as though to hide a blush, I let him lead me off the dance floor. “You’re so kind.”
“So kind I’d like to get you a drink while we wait for the next dance, if you’ll honor me again. Wine?”
“Please.”
He left me by a gilt-framed mirror, which showed couples pulling closer and others seeking conversation partners. I caught glimpses of Melanie smiling shyly at a man, Lady Chey parading around in her exquisite lavender gown, and Tobiah listening to someone speak, a thin mask of politeness across his features. He looked ready to drop from boredom, in spite of Meredith’s presence beside him. She looked lovely, her hair all in tight coils, save a few pale tendrils that brushed her golden gown.
No doubt she was engaging in the long-celebrated tradition of marrying up, but what did he get from this? A lovely wife? Her family’s wealth?
“Her name is Julianna,” a woman nearby said. “She’s a duchess from Liadia.”
I continued my admiration of the room as the woman repeated my manufactured history, occasionally shooting pitying looks my way. As long as they believed my story, it didn’t matter that I was in a palace filled with enemies, biding my time until I could go back to my ruined kingdom and scrape it off the ground.
James returned and handed me a glass of wine. “My lady.”
I thanked him and took a tiny sip, just enough to wet my mouth. The room was warm, and being Julianna, pretending that I didn’t hate everyone here, was exhausting. But I couldn’t risk getting drunk and revealing something I shouldn’t, either. I needed to stay sharp. Focused.
“You’ve said you don’t do much dancing,” James said. “What do you enjoy doing?”
Forgery? “Writing letters. Drawing.” Picking locks? “Puzzles.” Fighting? “Sewing.” I kept my tone pleasant—as pleasant as Julianna might, given her recent trials.
“I’d love to see some of your artwork.” James sipped his wine. “I’ve never had much opportunity to learn, but we have many fine artists in Skyvale. Many pieces are in Skyvale Palace, but I don’t have the knowledge to tell you anything about them. I simply enjoy looking.”
I dulled my tone a little. Just enough. “Unfortunately, all of my drawings are still in Liadia.”
James pressed his mouth into a line and nodded. “Of course. If you want to take up drawing again, though, I’m sure supplies would be provided.”
“I don’t want to be an inconvenience.” But really, what did I care about inconveniencing anyone here? Some other time, I’d reference this conversation when I asked for large sheets of paper and a selection of colored inks. The prince’s best friend and cousin said I should ask, after all.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” He continued inquiring about my hobbies and favorite things—animals, seasons, paintings—until the next dance was announced and couples began assembling on the floor. “Ready?”
We set our wineglasses on a shelf, and once the dance began, I circled my questions around his job and habits and promise to show Melanie and me around the palace.
The song ended, but as James and I returned to our wine and settled into conversation, another tall figure approached.
“James. Lady Julianna.”
James flashed a pale smile and turned a fraction to include the newcomer. “Your Highness.”
I curtsied and murmured a greeting.
Prince Tobiah stood beside his bodyguard. The two were of similar height, both with lanky frames and hidden strength. But James stood with a fierceness the prince didn’t possess; he stood like someone ready for an attack at any moment.
“I was hoping I might beg a dance from Lady Julianna.” He offered his hand, palm up and fingers extended. The wool jacket he wore must have been stifling, but if he was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it; his expression remained somber. Bored.
James’s eyebrows arched up, but he stepped aside.
“I’d be honored, Your Highness.” I smiled at James once more before placing my hand in Tobiah’s.
A memory welled up, like blood from a thin cut, of standing on a ledge and watching my city burn. My hand in Tobiah’s.
Tobiah Pierce and me: this was why the Indigo Kingdom had won the One-Night War.