“Oh? Was it . . .” I raised a hand self-consciously to my neck. Cool metal from the jewelry met my fingertips. “Was it easy to see our kiss from the castle?”
Daiseeum lowered her head as her fingers continued moving deftly from button to button. “One didn’t need to see it, my lady. One could feel it.”
Oh Blessed Mother. I’d known as much, but hearing it confirmed only made my stomach drop even more.
“We were caught up in the moment,” I said, a tad defensively.
“Is that what you call it?” She resumed her primping, smoothing the voluptuous tulle down my legs before draping the silky azure material over top. Beads and lace had been sewn into the top layer, adding texture and sparkle to the gown. “I suppose the prince won’t take kindly to your date with Lord Michas Crimsonale tonight?”
She helped me slip into dancing slippers and then straightened before giving me a wink.
I forced myself to respond lightly. “We are all required to court one another. I’m sure the prince will be fine with it.”
Her cheeks lifted in a knowing smile. “Something tells me he won’t be.”
“Goodness, Daiseeum. You might as well just come out and say what you really think—” A knock on my door stopped my outburst.
Sandus poked his head in. “All ready, love? You’ve been summoned.”
My nostrils flared at Daiseeum. At least she had the decency to look contrite.
“Enjoy the evening, my lady.” She bobbed a curtsy.
Calming, I replied, “Thank you. You as well.” I squeezed her hand, just so she would know I wasn’t angry at her. I enjoyed the camaraderie that had bloomed between us. I truly did, but sometimes, the lady’s servant enjoyed riling me. And today, I was too on edge to handle it.
Of course, I couldn’t actually fault her teasing. Daiseeum was only speaking out loud what everyone else was thinking. The true fault fell on me and the prince for not being able to control our reactions to one another. And now, it seemed the entire capital was aware of the magnetic attraction between me and Prince Norivun.
Sighing, I gathered my skirt and followed Sandus down the hall.
The guard cocked an eyebrow at me. “Everything all right, love? For someone who just showed the entire capital how powerful she is, you’re looking quite glum.”
I forced a smile. “Really? Oh no, I’m just tired.”
“Is that the ruse we’re going with?”
I sighed again and resisted the urge to hang my head as I cast a silencing Shield around us. “I just wish everyone knew about him, and I wish everyone knew the truth about the king.”
“Wishes will get us nowhere, dear Ilara. It’s best to accept that.”
“I know, but how do you do it? How do you stand by while the entire realm thinks Norivun’s a monster when really it’s the king who’s the demon?”
The guard glanced over his shoulder, but no one was around. We were still in the prince’s private wing, which was usually empty save for a few scurrying servants, but I wasn’t stupid.
“I cast a silencing Shield around us, Sandus. Nobody can hear us. You may speak freely.”
His eyebrows rose. “You did? I didn’t even feel it.”
“My air affinity has grown quite strong, and subtle, but back to the matter at hand. How do you stand it when everyone detests him?”
“It’s hard.” The guard shrugged. “All four of us struggle with it, as you saw in High Liss when Nish wanted to ram his sword down your throat, but I imagine that it’s probably even harder for you to stomach since the crown prince is your mate.”
I wrung my hands. “Do you think the entire realm knows we’re mates now?”
His lips quirked. “You two practically set that dais on fire, so yes, I think it’s safe to assume most know. That kind of explosive attraction is only seen between mates.”
“Will the king do anything about it now that he knows?” A shiver ran down my spine. Just thinking of the king’s comment made me want to run.
Sandus’s mouth tightened. “That, Ilara, is a very good question.”
Michas swept toward me the second I stepped into the dining hall. The Osaravee noble slipped my hand around his forearm, getting a glower from Sandus that Michas merely brushed off.
Across the room, the rest of the Trial occupants watched as the young lord made a show of escorting me.
“Someone’s been keeping a secret,” Michas said quietly as he leaned down to whisper in my ear. “And here I thought I was potentially in the running for winning your heart.”
A pounding aura suddenly pressed into my side, and I knew that the crown prince had just entered the room. I tried to dip farther away from Michas, but he followed and stayed plastered to my side.
“I shall marry whomever the king deems me suitable for,” I said carefully.
Michas’s lips kicked up in a smile. “Are you sure the crown prince would allow it?”
“I don’t think he’d have a choice.”
Energy continued to pulse from Norivun. Veins swelled in his neck, and his eyes glued to Michas.
“You’re playing a very dangerous game,” I said quietly to my date.
“I like to live dangerously. I’ve never courted a mated female before.”
“We’re not mated yet.”
“Oh? You’re saying he hasn’t bedded you?”
I squirmed and wondered why I’d blurted that out. “Who I bed is none of your concern.”
He scratched his chin as music drifted through the air, and a floating tray glided by us. He snatched two flutes of champagne off of it, then held one out to me.
“I suppose this does explain the prince’s attraction to you, and since you’re not bonded to him, but he’s fully bonded to you, it would explain his absolute rage and inability to control his reactions where you’re concerned.” Michas grinned. “Do you know this is the first time in my life that I haven’t seen the crown prince under perfect control? Usually, he’s so cool. Nothing ruffles him. But three months of you in the court, and he looks set to explode like the volcanoes on the Dresher Islands.”
The knots in my stomach tightened more. It was exactly as I feared. Everyone knew. And if Norivun was truly incapable of controlling his instincts right now, then it fell to me to keep the wolves at bay.
“He’ll kill you if you prove too bold,” I said casually and sipped my champagne.
A fleeting flash of fear shone in Michas’s eyes before he hid it behind a grin. “Then I suppose I’ll have to balance very carefully on that edge.”
I took a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles burst in my mouth as every muscle in my body coiled. Courtly politics and devious scheming weren’t for me, but I was quickly learning that Michas thrived on them, which meant I needed to learn to play the game, or I would end up a discarded pawn.
“Shall we sit for dinner?” The Osaravee lord waved toward the table. “I’m quite excited for the evening ahead and would love to get it started.”
CHAPTER 25