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“I’ll agree to anything.” Rency plucked a strand of dune grass from the ground and stuck it between his lips. “For a price.”

A muscle ticked in Felix’s temple, and Reva suspected he was suppressing the desire for more cursing.

“Fair payment will be dependent on your cooperation in negotiations.” Reva shot him a quelling look.

Behave. Please.

But the way he smiled at her clearly indicated he had no intentions of behaving and every intention of bleeding her pockets dry.

Cassandra fluttered her fan once again, although why she needed to use it in this galesome wind was beyond Reva’s understanding. She’d never taken the time to learn the language of fans.

Clear, plain words served a woman of any station better than the inane fluttering of whalebone and lace.

“Ignore him,” Cassandra said with a pleading smile for Felix. “Let Reva have her merchant sailor if it makes her happy. Did you bring the contract?”

Contract?

Reva’s spine stiffened. “How is there already a contract?”

Cassandra shot her a surprised look. “Pardon? I thought I discussed this with you. Prince Felix and I have arranged everything.”

“What—What’s in that contract?” Reva asked, dread expanding inside her like a storm over the ocean. “Why are we even here?”

“This meeting is just a formality,” Cassandra said, her eyes narrowing as she stared back at Reva, “to seal the betrothal.”

Chapter Two

Bile rose in the back of Reva’s throat.

“What betrothal?” she said between her teeth.

The fan fluttered beneath her stepmother’s piercing blue eyes. “Why yours, of course, darling. Surely you didn’t think you’d get trade routes for nothing. You and Prince Felix are to wed and secure our future. I’ll stay in Etthan to manage things since you’ll be much too busy in Desta to worry about the silly little details.”

Her people were nothing more than silly little details?

Anxiety churned in Reva’s stomach at the careless ease with which her stepmother spoke about Reva’s future. Leave Etthan and her people? Marry Prince Felix?

“I-I didn’t agree to this.” She managed to choke out the words at last.

Cassandra’s blue eyes narrowed to icy slits, but her voice was merry when she replied, “Of course, you did, darling. You said you’d do anything to secure the trade agreements so our people wouldn’t starve.”

“Marriage wasn’t on the table!”

“Now, child, don’t be dramatic.” Cassandra mouth pressed into a firm line. “Marriage was always on the table. You’re a young woman coming of age. Surely you knew you’d be married sooner than later. Best it be to the dear prince of Desta who can put food in the bellies of your citizens.”

Reva bolted from her cushion. The anxiety in her gut flared to full-blown panic as she kicked Rency’s thigh in her haste to escape the awning. She strode across the beach, clutching her skirts about her knees, not caring that she’d exposed her trousers.

She’d known these negotiations would come at a cost. She should have been prepared for this.

But she’d expected to empty what little remained in the coffers, not sell her soul…or share her bed.

Squeaking sand indicated someone had followed her across the white sand.

“Reva!” Cassandra said, her voice biting. The older woman caught hold of Reva’s elbow and halted her. “Pull yourself together, at once!”

Reva resisted and tried to wrestle her arm free, but Cassandra yanked her so close she could see the flecks of black in her stepmother’s irises.

“I demand you return and apologize. The prince has come a very long way to accept your hand. How dare you throw his offer in his face?”