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“Eireann and Baenna Balik liked it too,” I said, remembering the night we’d gambled. “Did you see them, Thantrel? Marit, Saga, and Sayyida? The Balik ladies too?” Saying their names made me miss them more. How lucky I was to have found friends in such a short time.

Thantrel leaned against the back of my chair, necessitating that I tilt my head up to see him.

“Ran into Saga. I told her where you were but only because she promised not to breathe a word. I didn’t see Sayyida or the Balik ladies.” He cleared his throat. “As for Marit, I can’t say that she is in the best of spirits.”

I sat up straighter and twisted in my seat. “What do you mean?”

“Her intended is pushing for them to wed soon.”

“But the king said they’d wait until her father returned with news from the Blood Court!” My heart raced at what this could mean for my friend. Jarl Triam had a reputation for killing his wives, and while Marit hadbeen training with us, I wasn’t sure she could protect herself.

“Yes, well, the jarl is using the vampire assassins—two more of which have been caught in the city, by the way—as an excuse to push his wedding. He claims Marit needs the protection of a family.”

Arie scoffed. “As if the Armenils aren’t one of the largest families in the kingdom.”

“It’s an excuse,” Luccan agreed. “Everyone knows the wolves of the north protect their own.”

Despite their reassurances, my stomach sank. The only reason there were vampire assassins at all was because of me. My actions.

Stars, I had made a mess of this kingdom.

My mother’s words rang in my ears. I’d taken parts of what she said and clung to them, but I wasn’t ready to face some of her more ambitious wishes yet.

A former blood slave, even one masquerading as a princess, did not rise to claim a throne. A seat she’d never dreamed she’d set eyes on, let alone command.

Again, I drank, allowing the sweet wine from the south of Isila to run over my tongue and wash away a bit of my anxiety.

“The pack will keep her safe,” Arie said stoutly. “I’m sure of it. If Connan were at the festival, I’d return to Avaldenn and make sure he knows to keep an eye on her.”

“Connan Armenil?” I asked. “The second oldest in their family, right?”

Clemencia beamed at me, proud that her lessons had sunk in.

“Yes,” Arie replied. “He is not attending the Courting Festival.”

“Already married?”

“Too ill.” Arie swallowed. “He’s a great friend of mine, but often ill, so I see him less than I’d like.”

“Rune will make sure no harm comes to his sister,” Thantrel assured his own brother.

Usually, one teased the other. This was a rare moment of solidarity. It was a night for such things.

I stood, went to refill my goblet, and in need of a change of topic and a lighter heart, I cast a playful glance over my shoulder. “Who wants to lose to me at nuchi?”

Chapter 48

NEVE

The last game of nuchi was a terrible mistake.

After the first round of normal nuchi, Thantrel had decided to mix it up. That we should playdrinking nuchi. By the time I drank my fifth glass of wine, I was certain Thantrel was simply making the rules up as we went along.

But I also didn’t care. For the first time since arriving at Riis Tower, we’d laughed and played like friends should. Like those stolen days at the castle when the king had been too furious to call any Courting Festival events. Days of sheer bliss.

The only people missing were Caelo and Vale—one of whom I wanted desperately to see.

And I had enough wine in me to where that felt like a pretty good idea. At my request, Clem had given him a room on the opposite side of Riis Tower from mine, and despite that extra distance around the circular tower, Ididn’t question my choice. Not until I stood in front of his door, hand raised to knock.