As if he hears the direction of my thoughts, Boris nudges my shoulder. “Wings out.”
Although I roll my eyes, I loosen the glamour on my wings. The men standing behind me jump back, cursing.
Boris’s glower makes me smile. “You could’ve warned them,” he says.
“Whoops.”
When the next Pegasus lands with my betrothed perched on its back, the smile falls from my face.
Princess Leeri of Nimbiss inherited her violet hair and almond-shaped blue eyes from her mother, which is fortuitous because her father is a hideous little troll of a man. She is objectively beautiful, I suppose, not that it matters since I’mnotgoing to marry her.
Rhainn’s mouth drops open as he watches the princess saunter across the balcony, Scathian leathers hugging her willowy frame. If he isn’t careful, someone is going to tear the heart on his sleeve clean off and throw it into a fire.
Even Kyffin, for all his self-professed hatred of women, watches with unveiled awe as the princess approaches, a coy smile playing on her ruby-red lips.
Leeri stops when she reaches us, curtsying low to my eldest brother. “King Boris, what a most glorious introduction to yourkingdom.” She stands and folds her hands in front of her, looking ever the demure lady, fooling them all. But not me. I know what she is really like. Irritating.Infuriating.
“So many strong, handsome men in such finery,” she goes on. “I will be most disappointed when it is time to leave.”
Boris’s chest puffs up, making him look like a strutting pigeon in his light blue waistcoat. “Thank you, Princess Leeri. You and your guests are most welcome.”
Leeri’s gaze tracks to me, and her lips lift a little more. “Prince Senan. I see you are more colorful than the last time we met.”
I may have gotten a new tattoo or three since I was forced into her company for a week in the summer. “How observant you are, princess. It is a relief to know there is nothing wrong with your eyesight.”
Minister Donnell emits this terrible choking sound from where he stands behind Boris.
Boris kicks my ankle—which really fucking hurts. “Do you have anything else to say to your betrothed?” he grits through a terse smile.
The things I have to say to this woman could fill the sky. But I know better than to voice any of them aloud within earshot of ourbelovedking. “Your Pegasus looks strong.”
Kyffin snorts. Rhainn sucks in a breath, still doe-eyed, staring at my wife-to-be.
“How observant you are, my prince,” Leeri says. “Your eyesight appears in good order as well.” Smirking, she turns toward Rhainn. “I assume you’re one of the princes?”
Once Rhainn picks his jaw off the ground, he catches her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Prince Rhainn Vale, at your eternal service, princess.”
“Well, aren’t you charming?” she coos, making my younger brother blush like a fool. Her eyes flash to mine. “Perhaps you could teach my betrothed a lesson or two.”
Please. I could charm her right out of those leathers if I wanted to. Fortunately for us both, I have no desire whatsoever to endear her to me. Quite the opposite, actually.
Leeri gives Kyffin a full smile and braces her hands on her knees so the pair are level. “And you must be Prince Kyffin.”
Kyff’s pointed chin lifts. “That’s right.”
“Tales of your swordsmanship have reached all the way to Nimbiss.”
Kyff steps closer, gazing at Leeri as if she just knighted him. “Truly?”
All right. Maybe she isn’tcompletelyawful. I’m still not going to marry her.
“Enough introductions.” Boris gestures toward the castle gates, glittering as if they’re made of crystal. “I’m sure you are quite anxious to become reacquainted with your betrothed after such a long absence. Senan, why don’t you give the princess a tour of the castle before joining us in the dining room?”
“I’d really rather not?—”
Leeri pinches the back of my arm, cutting off my protest. I bite back a curse.
“A wonderful idea, King Boris,” she trills, blinking up at me as if she is as innocent as a babe. “I would love to spend some time with my beloved Senan.”