If she thinks I don’t know who she is, she’s mistaken. Her name has been spoken more than ten times in council meetings leading up to this week.
"Lord Vann," she says smoothly. "It is an honor to finally meet the king’s personal advisor."
I incline my head. “Lirenne. Your work is commendable.” Then I turn back to Teo. "What do you need?"
My blood brother lifts his brows, giving me an amused look before shifting his attention back to Lirenne. “Our gracious coordinator was just filling me in.”
“We were discussing the matching strategy. My team has worked tirelessly to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to findtheir mate. Forgive my forwardness, Lord Vann," she says quickly. "But as part of the festival, we are making recommendations for both men and women—matching them based on their preferences."
"Novel," I say flatly.
She laughs softly. "I myself will be participating. I would love to know more about you."
"Why?"
She hesitates for only a moment, but Teo answers first.
"Funny you should mention that," he says. "Lirenne tells me you haven’t presented the council with your scroll."
I go completely still.
"Strange," he continues, watching me carefully. "Seeing as how that means you probably haven’t touched it. Even more so, knowing you’ve already been assigned a tent. Vann, you know that every unmated member of the council will be participating. There will be people coming through, visiting tents, and you will be one of those ensuring the men and women are served on their journey.”
My expression hardens. "Why the fuck would you do that?"
A flicker of irritation passes over Teo’s face, but Lirenne is the one who answers.
“Excuse me,” she says, tilting her head. "I had assumed—well, you are unmated, are you not?"
A sharp pulse of anger rolls through me, but my attention stays focused on Teo, even as my limbs grow cold.
"You know I had a woman," I say coldly. “Adra. Her name wasLi’Adra. We loved each other. We were partners in every sense of the word. Why do you constantly ask me to dishonor her memory?”
Lirenne falters. "I?—"
His nostrils flail when he exhales.“Brother.”
I freeze. I’ve overstepped.
“Forgive me, My King.” I turn to Lirenne, “Forgive me as well. I am merely tense. Please allow me a moment with His Majesty.”
She bites her lower lip, but turns and walks away.
Alone, Teo shakes his head. “You know that Arlet will be attending.”
“What does she have to do with anything?”
There’s an awkward pause.
“You told me you wanted to kiss her once. You practically crushed the stone missive from the Elf King. You have admitted that you and Adra were not mated.”
I pull up the memory from the battle at the Giant Mines. We were half-dead, lying in a rotting battlefield. I was half-mad with pain and hunger—I was delusional.
Teo had asked if I had regrets. Nonsense had poured from my mouth.
“Arlet and I. Are. Not. Mated.Either. There is no song. No marks on my neck. My crystal does not warm near her. I said that in a moment of weakness. Forget it.”
Teo exhales, some of his irritation giving way to regret. “Very well, Vann.” He rubs a hand over his jaw. “You can choose to fill the scroll out or not. Just… take it. And then go to the men in the back. I’m sure they’ll have something for you."