Page 102 of A Vow of Embers

He studied me and I again fought off the urge to cover myself. I would not melt under his judgmental gaze. “I suppose it suits you,” he said in a bored tone and then looked away.

Was he trying to imply that I was vain? Materialistic?

Before I could demand that he explain himself, he said, “You’ve become friendly with Dolion.” He still had that flat, bored intonation in his voice, and if I hadn’t been paying such close attention to him, I might have missed the other thing I heard.

Jealousy.

Self-satisfied pride welled up inside me. “Dolion has been very kind to me. He’s quite handsome, too.”

He was nothing compared to Alexandros, but I didn’t tell him that. Instead I saw the way the prince tensed up, as if my words angered him.

“Prince Alexandros.” A servant had hurried over, looking extremely worried. “We have a bit of a problem.”

“What is it?” The prince’s words were clipped and sharp.

“The entertainment has not yet arrived. I have sent messengers out to ascertain why the delay happened, but the food is not yet ready. I can see that your guests are becoming restless.”

“Go and find out what’s happening and report back. And tell the kitchen staff to hurry and bring the food out as soon as possible,” Alexandros said. The servant bowed and scurried off.

I felt someone behind me and saw a cup being extended. I recognized the bracelet on the arm and my pulse jumped.

Quynh.

“Don’t react,” she said. I didn’t turn and face her even though I wanted to.

Then she said something that thoroughly shocked me. “Xander, did you know your wife has a beautiful singing voice? She could entertain your guests while you wait for the food to arrive.”

I felt the prince’s questioning gaze on me.

Having done her damage, my sister moved away to deliver drinks to more people.

“You can sing?” he asked.

“I have never sung in public. Only for my family.”

“That wasn’t what I asked you.”

“I won’t do it,” I said. It would be humiliating. The sickly and bitter taste of fear burned the back of my throat.

“You’ll face a dragon and punch a goose, but not sing in public?”

He was trying to bait me into a fight, but I wouldn’t bite.

“You want to be an asset to me?” he asked. “Here’s your chance. People always respond to and enjoy talent. It might make them more amenable to voting for me if I have a gifted wife.”

This was a test. I understood that. I had always done very well on tests and decided I wasn’t going to fail this one.

“Fine,” I ground out. “But I don’t know any Ilionian songs.”

“Sing whatever you’d like.” Why did he sound so delighted? He enjoyed torturing me too much.

He turned and began speaking loudly to the crowd, and I was so nervous that I couldn’t even hear what he was saying. Sweat was dripping down my back and my chest felt too tight. I could see everyone stopping what they were doing and turning to face me. There were so many people that I felt a bit faint.

Alexandros turned toward me, holding out his arms, and everyone applauded. This was it. My turn. Nausea welled inside me.

For a moment my throat closed completely. I could do this. It was just one song.

I decided to sing my mother’s lullaby. I closed my eyes and let out the first note, the first word, and started to sing. I missed her so much that it was easy to infuse the song with what I was feeling. There wasa definite air of sadness, but I was managing to hit the notes correctly, my voice strong and not shaking.