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I tilted my head. I had noticed no odd behavior from the ruling lord of the southlands. “How so?”

“Hiding away in his suite. Socializing only with the Armenils, who, truth be told, after your petty act of rebellion, I have doubts about too.”

I scowled. “Because Marit was present at my wedding? That’s absurd.”

Father glared at me.

“She was only there because she’s friends with Saga and my sister insisted she come. The same with Sayyida. I’m sure you’ve already asked Saga about it.”

And I was more than sure that Saga had told Fatherthe truth, up to a point. He clearly didn’t know that Neve had been a blood slave. Or about Lord Riis’s involvement in our wedding, likely out of loyalty to me, more than the spymaster.

“I have.”

“Speaking of Marit, did youhave topair her with Lord Triam? And why marry off Sayyida at all? Their house already has a wedding coming up, and sheisimportant to the Royal Nava.”

“Do you dare question me?” Father’s gaze hardened over his goblet.

“You only did it because they were at my wedding. And perhaps because you learned that Sayyida and Marit favored Neve.”

The king snorted. “I care nothing for the opinions of young ladies. I saw good matches, and I set them.”

“Jarl Triam is a monster.”

“And I have given Lord Armenil an option to change the course of his daughter’s fate.”

I frowned. “And what of Lady Sayyida?”

“What of her?”

“Vidar is marrying Saga. Isn’t that?—”

“This Festival might be a front so that we can discover who has the Hallow of Winter’s Realm,” Father cut me off, “butIam still king. It is my right to create unions that will benefit our House. A right that you’d do well to remember will benefit you, Vale.”

I wasn’t so sure about that but understood he would not be swayed. Not tonight anyhow, so I dropped the matter. It wasn’t like Sayyida would be pushedto the Drassil tree tomorrow or next week. Probably not even within a moon’s time. Perhaps with a little more time and planning Saga or I might find a way for Sayyida to make a deal like the one Father made with Lord Armenil. Find a way to spare her a fate she didn’t want. We had to make it worth Father’s time.

Chapter 15

NEVE

Thumbs rubbing together, I perched on the edge of the prince’s bed and stared down the short hallway that exited to the rest of the palace. I was determined to wait until Vale returned from speaking with his father. Determined to pry out the reason he’d been so scared to see his brother touch me without a glove.

Because after much thought, after replaying the scene over and over, I was certain that was what had happened. And it made no sense.

I glanced at the door again, willing Vale to come back. Wanting to satisfy my curiosity. When he didn’t appear, I heaved a sigh.

I might as well get comfortable.

Hauling myself off the bed, I went to the dresser, opened a drawer, and pulled out a simple gray cotton dress. One that Roar had given me, but not one in hishouse colors. I’d never wear crimson and gold in combination again, not if I could help it.

I slipped off the clothing I’d worn to the Courting Festival event and pulled the dress over my head, slipping my wings through the slits at the back. Though it was plain, the cotton was soft on my skin, decadent even. A quiet sort of luxury I wouldn’t expect by looking at the dress. Completing the look, I tied my hair back with a pink ribbon. The color hinted it might have been from Saga’s stash.

Vale had said servants would take our laundry daily, so I tossed the other dress in the hamper and debated over how best to fill the time. Since he’d left to speak with his father, a bell had already tolled outside. Would he be gone for two hours? Or even three? What was the king saying to him?

Stars, I had so many questions and no one to answer them! I needed to occupy my mind. I was just wondering how to do so when I heard voices outside Vale’s suite.

“I wish to speak with Princess Neve. Is she in his room?”

I stiffened. I’d know that voice anywhere. Why was Prince Rhistel here?