Her cousin let out a huff of exasperation. “We haven’t even been here a full day, and you have already jeopardized my place in Sania.”
“I was protecting your life as I have in the past, if you’ll recall.”
Nothing set Elea off more than when Nora reminded her of the many times Nora’s strength had saved her life. Nora should have placated her cousin, but she was tired of walking on hot coals around Elea.
“When did you discover he was the prince?” Elea asked sharply.
“After.”
“After what?”
“The fight.” The less Nora said, the smaller chance Elea would smell her lie.
Elea walked toward Nora’s bed until she towered over her. Not that her cousin could intimidate her with the strength of her body. Elea’s goddess’s gift was different than her own.
“Did you injure him?” Elea demanded.
“No.”
Her cousin sighed. “That’s something, at least. You fought with the crown prince, who is my husband by proxy, and then you asked kindly for his name?”
“Not exactly.”
“You are lying to me. Don’t try to deny it,” Elea said in a loud voice. She’d awakened the servants, no doubt, and half the blasted castle.
Rubbing her finger over the scar on her palm, Nora knew that she and her cousin were bound by more than blood and bone. She had pledged her oath to protect Elea. “I tackled the threat. He said he was a courtier. We fought a duel for a prize. He won the prize. We gave our names and I told him I was the spare. Then I came back here directly after.”
“What was the prize?”
“A kiss.”
“And did you kiss my husband?” If Elea spoke any louder, she would be yelling.
“Yes, but—”
“How could you!” Elea screamed. “Why must you steal everything that is mine? Everyone that I care for.”
Nora sat up. “I didn’t steal anything.”
“First Grandfather’s love, and now my husband’s.”
Nora shook her head and clenched her teeth. “Grandfather only ever loved himself. If you are too stupid to realize that, then by all means, be jealous of his attentions toward me. He loved watching me fight opponents that were older, wiser, and larger. My body is mapped with scars carved from his court. I was nothing more than his performing monkey. I was never happier than on the day that he died.”
Elea sniffed. Maybe for once she would finally understand that Nora never wanted their grandfather’s dubious preference. She’d have much preferred to spend time with their grandmother, the Seer Queen, like Elea. Even if it had meant listening to their grandmother call Elea the child of the prophecy and the true heir of Queen Eleanora, declaring that Nora’s life duty was to protect Elea to ensure she fulfilled her destiny.
“My father has decided not to make me his heir,” Elea said in a small voice. “He plans to pass the kingdom on to my half brother. My only chance to be a queen is this marriage to the Prince of Sania, and now you have sabotaged it.On purpose.”
Nora held up her hands. “It was all a foolish mistake. Matteo thought I was you. He thought he was kissing you.”
Pointing to the door, Elea spat, “Get out ofmyroom. I cannot stand the sight of you.”
“Where am I supposed to go? This isn’t our home.”
“You can sleep on the floor in the hall for all I care.”
Standing, Nora grabbed her weapons and clothes before giving an exaggerated curtsy to her cousin with a flourish of her arm. “As you wish, Your Royal Highness.”
Nora longed to leave the blasted castle and her cursed cousin. But she didn’t. She pulled her clothes back on in the hall, sat down on the hard terracotta floor, and leaned her head against the wooden door to her cousin’s room. She had sworn to protect Elea, and by the goddess, she would keep her oath to the death.