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She frowned. “Ralph knows everyone else at court, so it must be him, if it is anyone.”

What is the problem from which I might save you, Your Highness?

Marin’s expression grew even more serious. “I will tell you the problem that faces me, and then you may decide if you are willing to get embroiled in this little mess.”

The prince’s broad shoulders stiffened with pride. What danger would dare confront this princess, as if she were not already under his protection? He bared his teeth in a dangerous smile.

“Tomorrow, we host the visiting Boravian delegation at a ball. Two days later, the Severtian delegation. After that, the Frintan, and then the Grestarian. My father’s health has become increasingly precarious, and our neighbors see Eleria as vulnerable. All of these nations have reason to want to ally themselves with us, if not outright invade us. Boravia is most dangerous, but Severt is also a real threat. Frinta wishes to establish an alliance against Boravia, and Gresta wants access to our port.

“I have come to terms with the fact that I will have to wed some foreign nobleman. It is more advantageous at the moment not to elevate one of our own noble families over the others; there is far too much fighting and intrigue as it is. However, I would like to put it off as long as possible so that I may select the least objectionable of the men who would victimize my nation.” Her voice was thick with grief and frustration.

Kaerius’s frown deepened.Do you fear an invasion?

The princess sighed. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m sorry.”

Kaerius shrugged out of Brighton’s grip and strode to the windows. He placed his fingertips against the glass in wonder before looking out across the verdant valley beyond. Only a short distance away, the cliffside fell away in a magnificent jumble of sharp-edged peaks through which narrow paths wove like glittering threads. The windows faced east and slightly south, and at this time of morning, the light made warm golden stripes on the marble floor.

The prince pointed to the distant mountains and looked inquiringly at the princess.

“Those are our lands. If Boravia, Severt, or Gresta invaded, the invasion would come from farther south.” The princess pointed off to one side.

He walked the fingers of one hand over the palm of the other, indicating walking, and then made the sign for waves.

“Invasion by land or by sea? Both, I expect, although the mountain pass will be much easier to defend than the beaches.”

Kaerius nodded and smiled, his eyes glinting dangerously.Marry me, and invasion by sea would never be a concern.

The princess held his gaze for a moment. “It is hardly just to put you in danger when you so recently escaped death. But if you are willing, what I would ask of you is this: Act as my escort to the ball tomorrow. Pretend to be my suitor. If I appear to havea suitor already, Boravia and Severt, the most aggressive of the threats, will be honor-bound to pretend to court me.

“In allowing myself to be courted, I hope to wrest some concessions from them in the treaty that follows. I will likely have to wed one of them. If we can make them believe I have a real choice, perhaps the chains I will eventually wear will be a little lighter.”

Kaerius found his mischievous smile fading. She sounded resigned and resolute rather than distraught, but there was an edge of hidden grief in her voice that caught at his heart.

Let me show you a better option. He gestured at himself and raised his chin, letting his undeniable beauty speak for itself.

Brighton huffed softly from just behind his shoulder. “Don’t get any ideas. You owe Her Majesty your life. She has the right to use you as she wishes, and you will take no liberties with her person or with her heart.”

“I don’t think there is much danger in it,” said Marin. “This is a delaying tactic, and I am sure they will guess that soon enough. But I hope it will buy me a little time to make a wiser decision and protect my nation.”

What of your father the king? Isn’t he responsible for protecting the nation?The thought occurred to Kaerius a little belatedly. He did not expect her to understand his signs, so he was not disappointed when her next words did not answer his question. Still, it seemed to him that a king, or any man, ought to protect his daughter, and it troubled him that Marin seemed to feel herself without this safety.

The princess met his eyes, and for a moment he felt that she saw through his sparkling beauty and confidence to his hope and fear and uncertainty. “Will you play the part of my suitor? It is only for a short time, and I will, of course, ensure that you are compensated appropriately.”

It will not be a false courtship, Your Highness, but yes, I will be delighted to oppose these foreign suitors.

“Was that a yes?” Marin held his gaze as if she wanted to be entirely sure they understood each other.

Yes, Your Highness.He nodded and bowed deeply. When he straightened, the world dimmed for a moment, and he blinked, feeling strangely dizzy and sick. He swallowed and smiled, a little pale.

“What shall I call you, then? I ought to be able to use an audible name. Can you write?”

The prince looked at her blankly.

“What sound does your name start with?” She went through the letters one by one, and Kaerius nodded at the K. “What’s next?”

Brighton said quietly, “I can do this. I’m sure you have more important things.”

Marin sighed and looked down. “But I don’t want to,” she muttered. “I suppose it is a better use of our time to tell you about the delegations that are arriving, and what I hope you can do. It would be a great service to me, and I will, of course, pay you for your time.”