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Gods.

Whose idea had it been to have the reception here?

Abruptly, Toren’s mind connected with all three of them.“If Ryssa wasn’t here, we’d recreate that scene, but with me and Mehl swapped. Perhaps we’ll return here later.”

Both Mehl and Ria groaned—but then all three of them laughed.

This was going to be a long morning.

* * *

Ria didher best to circle the room, but it was a nightmare of politeness. Cushioned knives and hidden barbs—that was what she dodged, for the most part. Thanks to Toren’s speech, absolutely no one was willing to be rude to her outright. But it didn’t matter. She’d studied quite a few of these people while they were in her father’s shop, and she’d overheard rumors about more of them than that.

Ryssa leaned close. “Why are courts everywhere the same?”

“Power, I suppose,” Ria answered, shrugging. “Difficult to function like a normal person when the slightest thing could topple your position.”

The princess nodded. “Indeed.”

Lady Gartren Hesslefyn stepped into Ria’s path. The lady dipped into an immediate curtsy, no sign of the hesitation that she’d shown before her dress fitting. Her eyes, though—they held the same cruel slyness they always did. Whatever words were about to pop out of her mouth, they would surely be a lie.

“Oh, Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you again,” Gartren said as soon as she straightened. “You look radiant today. Absolutelyglowing. I can see why our dear kings are so eager to marry you.”

It was at least the fifth pointed reference to the rumors of Ria’s pregnancy, if the most subtle one so far. Did the lady expect her to admit to having an expectant mother’s glow? Hah. One thing her previous trade had taught her was how to keep her deepest thoughts and opinions secret around nobles.

“It would be difficult not to be radiant beneath Toren’s and Mehl’s care,” Ria said, smiling softly. “This kingdom doesn’t hold two better men.”

Lady Gartren’s nostrils flared slightly. “Naturally. You are beyond fortunate to have been chosen, Your Highness. Many ladies were hoping to bebeneaththeir care.”

Ah, the lady hadn’t missed the hint of an innuendo. Ria allowed her smile to widen. “That I can understand.”

“Well, perhaps all will heed High King Toren’s timely admonishment.” Gartren’s gaze flicked dismissively down Ria’s body, and the lady’s nose tilted up. “We must earn our nobility, after all. The magics that bind us are not easily altered, so we would all do better to conform.”

“It seems so, Lady Gartren,” Ria managed to answer, though her thoughts had stuck on a single word—altered.

She’d seen references to the old magics that bound the laws into place, and Toren had told her about the book detailing how. Could that magic be altered? If so, how far? Ber’s challenge would be moot if the law no longer applied. Suddenly, she longed for nothing more than the library, where she could pursue the idea sparking inside of her. How much longer would this reception last?

She barely remembered to acknowledge Lady Gartren’s farewell before continuing onward. Fortunately, it was time to loop back around, so Ria could at least catch a few glimpses of the kings as a distraction from her racing thoughts. Mehl gave her a slight smile, and she couldn’t help it—she went a little soft and warm inside. Then she noticed the quiet, stern stillness gripping Toren as he looked toward the door, and that softness faded.

Ria peeked in the direction of his gaze. Ah, Sir Macoe stood guard on the other side of the entry from Feref, so Toren’s attention could be on either. Was there a problem? Had the captain or the chamberlain delivered bad news?No, not Feref. He appears perfectly calm.Sir Macoe had an air of tension about him, however.

A tingle of foreboding raced over her skin. Was Ber here? Through her link with the kings, a pulse of Toren’s energy shoved a gasp from her lips. If she wasn’t mistaken, that power was tinged with helpless rage.

And that scalded her blood with fear.

* * *

Toren hadto sever his mental connection with Macoe before the man was hurt, for only a handful of words had sparked Toren’s anger—and thus his magic—to perilous life.The convoy is near the city, but Prince Ber has disappeared.He ground his teeth together before he followed the urge to order everyone out. That would cause panic, and that was the last thing they needed.

Mehl’s hand brushed against his.“What’s wrong?”

With his husband, Toren was free to open a mental link without risk of harm, but even so, Mehl hissed low at the energy that seeped through.“Word from Macoe. Ber disappeared from the Centoi contingent, though it’s nearing the city. He’s using the secret tunnels, I imagine.”

“He must know we’ll expect that,”Mehl replied calmly, channeling away some of the excess energy. Toren took a deep breath as the force of his power eased.“Shall I go check them with Sir Macoe?”

Toren’s heart skipped a beat.“No! Above all, Ber knows what hurting you would do to me.”

His gaze caught on Ria, who was doing her best not to stare at him in concern. Between his pulse of energy and her worried glances, a few of the courtiers had started looking his way. Toren kept his expression as cool as possible. He could not afford to lose control. Now, there was another he had to protect—another he would die for. If Ber hurt Ria or the baby she carried…