“And you’re delectable.”
She flushed all the way down to her toes and fought the urge to cover the exposed swells of her breasts. “I find it unfair that you keep seeing me in all manner of dress, yet I’ve yet to even see your face,” she joked.
“I tell you what, Vera, show me yourself in a manner of undress, and I’ll show you my face.” Taking her arm, he hooked it through his, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
She could not have blushed harder if she tried, but she covered it by pinching the underside of his arm. He gave a satisfying yelp but didn’t let go. She found herself leaning into him, already more relaxed.
Turning to look at a glowering Elric, she gave a small wave. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
He crossed his arms and grunted, staring daggers at Trey. “I’ll be up.”
Trey had the good sense to look a little worried as they started walking toward the palace. “Why do I get the feeling Lesta doesn’t think too highly of me?”
“Don’t take it personally, I doubt he’d trust anyone showing interest in me.” He looked at her curiously, but she just shrugged. “It’d probably help if you kept your ornery comments to a minimum when he’s around.” He chuckled in agreement but made no promises.
They walked in companionable silence the rest of the way, Trey somehow knowing she needed the time to organize her thoughts. It wasn’t until they’d entered the palace that he broke the peace.
“This way. We’ll be heading to the west wing. They like to use it when they entertain guests and dinner parties.” As they neared their destination, Trey released her arm and took a step back to walk just behind her. She immediately missed the comfort of his proximity.
They stopped outside a set of large doors settled between two stoic guards. The doors were a deep navy with smooth iron knobs embellished with vines and thorns. Engraved into the panels themselves was the royal crest, and the sight of it froze her feet to the floor.
She had no idea what to expect. Emperor Matheris hadn’t seemed remotely unsettled about her obvious origins; in fact, he seemed thrilled. But given he didn’t know the exact details of her involvement with Green Eyes, she couldn’t quite understand his interest. He wanted something from her, she could safely assume that much. What he wanted; however, was an entirely different matter.
“Since when is feisty Vera nervous around a few self-important Matherin men?” Trey gently chided from behind her.
She didn’t know much about him. If she were honest, she didn’t know him well at all. But there was something about him that she trusted. Maybe it was because, besides Elric, he’d been the only person who seemed to like her exactly how she was. Granted, he might not know everything, but she didn’t think he’d care if he did.
“I don’t know what he wants with me.” She crossed her arms over her body, desperate for any form of protection against the impending dinner. “Did Prince Eithan tell you anything about me?”
She turned, looking him in the eyes, terrified all over again. He flinched at whatever he saw in her gaze and cupped his hands around her elbows.
“I’m sorry, Vera, but I couldn’t tell you even if he did.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I understand.”
She took a shaky breath, straightened her shoulders, and dropped her arms. She wasn’t used to this constant sense of fear, and it was starting to drain every bit of energy she had.
Fear is a flame. Bend it to your will and forge it into a weapon. She repeated it until she was able to re-take control of her emotions.
“I’m ready.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the two guards framing the doors moved to open them. She picked up her skirts just enough to allow her to take steady, concise steps, and willingly entered the wolves’ den.
∞∞∞
The two men were seated at a large, rectangular table set for ten. She wasn’t sure if the table was perpetually set for guests, or if it was done purposefully to make her second guess who all would make an appearance.
According to Elric, royals and nobles were fond of mind games, and he warned her to expect them. In hindsight, the advice probably wasn’t going to do her any favors, considering her current mental state. She was likely going to see games and traps everywhere, even where there weren’t any.
They instantly stopped their quiet conversation and stood when they saw her. It took her a little by surprise. The two most important men on the entire continent just showed her respect. Was that a mind game?
Dammit, Elric.
She allowed herself a quick peek at the prince, and it took her a moment to understand what it was about him that had snagged her attention. Then it hit her. He was wearing a simple white tunic and dark gray trousers tucked into plain, black boots. He had no crown, no weapons, no vest or adornment of any kind.
Stealing a glance at the emperor, she noticed him dressed nearly the same, except his tunic was navy. He was also sans-crown.
In her gods forsaken gown, Vera stood out like a sore thumb. The emperor had demanded she be primped and dolled up while they dressed down as if this were just a basic nightly dinner for them. If the intention was to unsettle her, it was working. Whether it was the emperor or both of them, she had a feeling they were trying to make her uncomfortable.
She felt a tingle of anger crawl under her skin. Whether intentional or not, they’d already put her in her place without saying a single word.
It didn’t help that as she came within a few feet of the table, she realized she had no idea where she was supposed to sit. They were both standing on opposite ends and there were several chairs between them on either side. She looked at the open chairs and decided the middle seemed like the safest bet.
But to her relief, Prince Eithan came around the table and pulled out a chair for her. She mentally applauded herself when it was the middle chair. Focusing far too much on keeping her skirts out of the way, she suddenly lurched forward when he pushed the chair in, almost knocking over a wine glass.
“My apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He flashed her a devastating smile before reclaiming his seat. Vera’s face turned a vibrant shade of molten red, and it had only partly to do with embarrassment.
He’d barely finished sitting when servants scurried about, placing plates of mouthwatering food before them. She had to actively work to contain the saliva accumulating at the sight of the fresh meat before her. She and Elric weren’t starving by any means, but they certainly couldn’t afford meals like this.
Following their lead, she desperately tried to remember all of Elric’s tips regarding appropriate dinner etiquette as she chose a utensil and took a small, ladylike bite. Oh gods, she’d have to allot a few minutes tonight to moan about this later.