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“When they must.” Why couldn’t either king see how different things were for her? Even Mehl only partially understood. “I am temporary. A means to an end, which makes me open to contempt. If I’m not careful, the mockery might cause you trouble, too. Or our child. Do you want whispers about your heir’s mother?”

“No one will dare.” Despite his harsh words, Toren brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “Come. You must show them from the beginning that you will not cower. There will already be whispers after our foray into the servants’ quarters, and hiding will only make things worse.”

He did not, of course, refute that she was temporary, but she had no right to the pain that omission caused.

Mehl gripped Toren’s forearm. “Her concerns are not without merit, Tor.”

“I am aware.” As soon as his husband released him, Toren pushed up to a sitting position by Ria’s hip. “Thus my decision. The Centoi’s departure is cause for concern, but it opened up a new opportunity. We appear together tonight and end the speculation about the woman we escorted from the servants’ quarters before the rumors get out of control.”

Part of her had hoped that his resolve was not as strong as it appeared, but those words quashed that dream. Even Mehl’s worried expression had shifted to resignation. Should she fight it? These two men were the final law of their land, Toren most of all, and yet she didn’t think they would force her.

Unfortunately, Toren’s explanation made sense. Palace servants were renowned for their discretion, but even they had limits. Others outside the castle might not hear a whisper, but inside? Everyone from the top down would be watching each step she took for clues to her presence in the family wing instead of the rooms usually granted during a breeding alliance.

It was only a matter of time before one of the nobles heard. They would guess that she’d agreed to the contract after Toren’s words to her during court that morning, but her placement beside the High King was unusual enough to cause greater speculation. Even though not all of that would be stopped by a show of unity at dinner, the announcement would provide her greater protection from the worst of it.

Nothing like a necessary disaster.

* * *

Fortunately,no one could enter the dining room before the High King, because once again, they were going to be late.

By whatever miracle, Feref opened the door to Ria’s room just as Toren and Mehl neared, and Ria glided out to meet them. Toren halted, his breath catching at the sight of her. The pale gold dress hugged her body, a thin, turquoise over-dress flowing around her with each step. Her hair had been swept up into intricate braids, but she wore no crown or tiara.

All normal for a king’s consort. In fact, Feref had seen her outfitted perfectly for the role. She wasn’t royalty, but she would bear the heir to the kingdom. As such, she wore a color that hinted at royal green without appearing to mimic it. Turquoise was included in the portrait of nearly every past consort for a reason.

“Well?” Ria asked.

Mehl stepped forward to offer his arm. “Perfection.”

Both looked to Toren, but it took him a moment to formulate words. The sight of them together squeezed his chest, but not in a bad way. There was something—therecould besomething between the three of them. He had the uncomfortable feeling that more of his heart stared at him than he wanted to consider.

He barely knew Ria, yet somehow, she was no stranger.

Mehl quirked a brow, so Toren forced a smile despite his discomfiture. “You look lovely, Ria.” He caught his chamberlain’s eye where he hovered in the doorway. “Feref is to be commended for guiding you properly.”

Feref practically sagged against the doorframe in relief.

Toren pretended not to notice.

The three of them made their way out of the family wing in silence, Mehl and Ria no doubt as lost in thought as he. Or perhaps worried. Despite Ria’s assumptions, Toren was well aware of her precarious place amongst the nobles. But they were as constricted by tradition and law as he was, and the primary law was obedience to the royal family. Their magics were bound into their oaths more thoroughly than Ria or even Mehl realized.

Toren had spent his life in service to his people, fighting for their health and safety before he understood what those words truly meant. Acceptance of Ria was not an unjust request, and he would not yield on the matter. They didn’t have to like her, but she would not be disrespected.

After tonight, that would be perfectly clear.

* * *

As a bodyguard,Mehl had watched everyone without being noticed. As a king, it was nearly the opposite. The closer the three of them came to the dining room, the more eyes fastened on them like raptors sizing up mice. Hungry and wanting. None of them saw Toren and Mehl, much less Ria. Only High King and King.

He no longer stiffened beneath their regard the way he’d once done, but the same couldn’t be said for Ria. By the time they neared the doors to the dining room, her arm was a tight knot of muscles where it rested on his. And no wonder. The long hallway they traversed was lined with nobles awaiting entry. This would be no easy meal for her.

How well he knew.

Before they reached the doors, Mehl tipped his head toward hers. “You’ll have to enter behind us,” he murmured.

She gave a slight nod and loosened her hold. After a kiss to her hand to show he meant no slight, Mehl released her to join Toren. This time, it was Mehl who settled his arm on Toren’s. As a servant intoned their names, the doors opened, and they strode in. Etiquette forbade them from looking anywhere but forward at the High Table on the far end of the room, but when Ria’s new name and title rang out at his back, Mehl was tempted to turn.

Whispers echoed into the room along with Ria’s footsteps, and Toren’s breath hissed out beside him at the low, building murmurs. But neither of them faltered. Would Ria? Only when they rounded the table could Mehl see her out of the corner of his eye. She followed without hesitation, though her skin was a hint flushed.