Page 84

We swept into the room, and I leaned in close. “Calie looked like she had gryphon dung under her nose when she had to say something nice to you.”

“As did the others. And Aenesa Qiren, stars, is shemad that you’re no longer available.” The way Neve smiled up at me made my heart skip a beat. “Guess they’ll have to get used to it. I’ll fish for compliments and flaunt my handsome husband around them every chance I get.”

“Diabolical.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s take in the room.” We walked around the bulk of the crowd, stopping only when a servant offered Summer Isle wine.

I’d handed the first glass to my wife and had selected my own when Mother appeared, resplendent in a gown of gold.

“You two look lovely.” She eyed Neve’s tiara. “I suppose we shall have to get you a few of your own, my dear.”

“Saga seems to enjoy sharing. There’s no rush,” Neve replied with none of the brazenness in her voice that she’d exhibited the morning Mother learned of our marriage.

Then again, Mother was being civil too, so perhaps Neve was sensing her energy and reciprocating in kind. I appreciated that. Mother might be upset with me, but I still loved her and wanted to please her.

“I will say that the jewels in that tiara suit you.” Mother turned her attention to me. “Vale, darling, your father and Rhistel are in the family box. He wishes to speak with you before the play.”

“Ah.” I shot Neve a sidelong glance.

“I can take her.” Mother placed a gentle hand on Neve’s elbow. “I don’t believe that you’ve metsome of the most influential jarls and ladies—those who head lesser houses. Have you, Neve?”

“I haven’t,” my wife replied. There was no fear in her eyes at being left alone with Mother. As she did every morning, Neve had taken the Mind Rönd Saga had supplied. And if there was one thing I was certain of, it was that Neve could verbally keep up with anyone here.

“I’ll see what Father wants.” I kissed Neve on the cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Neve smiled at me, an adoring wife, and we separated. I turned and made my way down the hallway that led to the royal box, the largest, most lavish box, with the perfect view of the stage, set in the center of those of the Sacred Eight. Completing the circle around the playhouse were other boxes, less ostentatious, owned by jarls, noble ladies, and wealthy merchants.

I’d nearly reached my designation when the door to my family’s box swung open. Two Clawsguards stood outside but didn’t move a muscle, telling me that it wasn’t my father or Rhistel who were leaving. Had it been, they’d have stepped back and prepared to follow the king or heir wherever he went. I only had to wonder for a moment as to the person’s identity when Lord Riis shut the door to the box.

He brushed down his midnight black jacket and inclined his head. “Prince Vale. I see the king wishes to get quite a lot of business done before pleasure.”

“As ever.” I paused, a million questions burning inside me, but one rose to the surface above all others. “A moment of your time, Leyv?”

He joined me, far enough away to be out of the Clawsguard’s earshot. Since seeing my mother leave Lord Riis’s suite, I’d been torn. Had they once been together? And if so, did it matter?

It wasn’t like Mother and Father had married for love—nor pretended to be a love match now. Most royal marriages weren’t like that. No, theirs was an alliance between two powerful houses that had been instrumental in the White Bear’s Rebellion. And at present, they didn’t share a bedchamber, nor had they for much of their lives. They were seen together at public functions and that was about it.

Yet, if Lord Riis and my mother had an affair while she was married to my father, that made him much less trustworthy. And I’d given him so much power over me. Over Neve. That made me uneasy.

Despite being certain that the Lord of Tongues did not possess the Ice Scepter, I had to play this with intelligence. Had to use Lord Riis to keep Neve safe. Others too . . .

“Has there been any word from Caelo?” I asked, thinking of the brother of my heart and hoping he was safe.

“They made it,” Lord Riis replied. “Everyone is safe and sound. He’s also received my message to remain there.”

“Thank you,” I replied. “Neve and I appreciate it.”

“Of course.” Lord Riis paused. “Is there anything else?”

A gleam in his eyes made me think he suspectedsomething of me. Did he feel that the king was suspicious of him? If so, what did he think it was about?

“Nothing,” I replied. “My father is waiting for me.”

Lord Riis stepped aside. “Enjoy the show, my prince.”

We parted, and Riis’s heavy footsteps rang down the hallway, back toward the pre-show party. I rolled my shoulders back and entered my family’s box.