“I would love for you to take me there.”
And taint the memory forever? No, thank you.
“We could go tomorrow,” she suggests.
“What about your very important portrait?”
“It’sourportrait. And the artist cannot return until the following day.”
“I’m afraid I’m busy tomorrow as well.”
“With what?”
Hopefully, spending time with my girl. And if not, I’ll be doing anything and everything that will keep me away from my fiancée.
“Do I need to speak with the king? Have him clear your schedule?” she presses.
This argument feels tiresome. “What will you do when we move to Nimbiss and you can no longer go to him for assistance?”
Anger snaps in her glacial eyes, and her hands ball into fists in her lap. “My father will not stand for you treating me with such disrespect.”
Her father won’t have a choice because I’m not marrying this woman.
I catch Boris watching us from over his golden goblet, so I am sure to reply with a smile. “I am not a child and will not be treated as one. If you wish to marry a pliable, spineless man, then by all means, I will not stop you. I’m certain you can take your pick.” I gesture toward those gathered, knowing any one of them would happily wed a beautiful princess—even those who already have wives.
“What has gotten into you? Why are you treating me so horribly?”
This isn’t entirely Leeri’s fault. And I’m taking all my anger with Boris out on this poor woman. But I need her to be the one to put an end to this arrangement.
“Senan?”
When she reaches for my hand, I reach for my wine, and her hand falls away.
Dessert has been served,but I can’t possibly fit another bite into my stomach. The moment we’re dismissed from this table, I am going straight to my room and passing out.
Rhainn has thankfully kept Leeri occupied, talking about some book or another, leaving me free and clear to drift into memories of my evening spent with Allette.
That is until Boris stands and tosses his serviette onto the table.
Before he turns to leave, I hear him say something to the Nimbiss Minister about our brother Aeron. Since he’s been gone, it’s almost as if he no longer exists.
Aeron used to write, but I haven’t received a letter from him in three months. Last I heard, his wife wasn’t well, and he wasn’t sure he would make it to the wedding.
As much as I hope there will be no wedding, having Aeron here could actually help. He always excelled at devising brilliant plans to escape this castle for our adventures. Perhaps he could assist me with my current predicament.
The legs of my chair drag when I scoot back. I toss the serviette from my lap onto the table and hurry to catch Boris before he disappears into a cloud of cigar smoke and whiskey.
“King Boris? If I might have a word?”
Although his eyes widen, he quickly hides his surprise beneath a tight-lipped smile and gestures toward the nearest alcove.
The boisterous conversations from those who’ve had too much wine are muffled when we step behind the heavy drapes. I remember hiding in these when we were children. So much has changed since then. “Were you talking about Aeron just now?” I ask.
Groaning, Boris closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Of course you would choose today to start paying attention.” With a heavy sigh, he meets my gaze once more. “Aeron has sent word that he will be coming to Kumulus for the wedding.”
Finally, a stroke of good luck. Heaven knows I need it.
It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen my brother, and it would be rude to let him arrive without a proper welcome.