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The Mer prince had been watching this argument in fascinated horror, and only by chance did he glance at Brighton at just the right moment to see the guard’s lips pressed together in subdued fury. In that instant, Kaerius understood Brighton’s anger.

These men were obnoxious and ridiculous, and Kaerius would have laughed at them and mocked them in any other situation. But Marin was trapped, and in less than two months, she would be married to one of these horrible men.

Her face was pale and her lips set in an awkward, uncomfortable half-smile, as if she hoped by her sweetness to influence these foreigners to kindness. “Generosity with one’s resources is certainly admirable, but I would hope that one’s staff would speak of one’s generosity out of their own contentment, not fear.”

Lord Galbraith smiled and stabbed at a bit of steak on his plate with unnecessary violence. “Your discernment is admirable, Your Highness. I’m sure I can make you happy both personally and as a queen. Severt is prepared to makeextraordinarily generous trade concessions in order to secure this alliance, but we would not be pleased by Eleria’s choice to ally herself with Boravia.”

Brighton’s jaw tensed, as if this threat were nearly too much to bear, but he made no move or sound.

The Severtian lord glanced at him. “Does the truth bother you, guard? Your princess has more stomach for the truth than you do.”

Marin said, “Don’t insult my guard, or any of my staff, if you want your suit to have any hope at all.”

Lord Ralph took a sip of his wine and sat back. “Now you see the charms of Severt, Your Highness.” He gave a self-satisfied little smirk. “I will leave it to your discretion as to which of our suits is more appealing.”

Kaerius wanted to throttle them both, the detestable Severtian and the smug Boravian.You are both loathsome. Her Highness is so superior to you that you are incapable of even recognizing how lucky you are to be in her presence, you blind cavefish.

Brighton stared at him, one eyebrow raised.

Idiots, Kaerius added with emphasis.

Brighton’s lips twitched. He didn’t understand most of the signs, but he had picked up enough to understand that Kaerius was insulting the foreign lords.

“What are you laughing at?” snarled Lord Galbraith.

Brighton’s face stilled into an impassive mask.

“And you!” Galbraith turned to Kaerius and raised his glass. “The mute imbecile! I suppose you think you have something to offer Her Highness?”

Kaerius gave his most gleefully mocking smile and raised his chin.I am both beautiful and clever. Good luck, idiot.

Brighton pressed his lips together.

“I think we’ve enjoyed enough of this pleasant conversation,” said Marin quietly. “May we eat in peace for a few minutes, please?”

“As you wish,” said Lord Galbraith with annoyance.

“I am delighted to find that your preferences align with mine, Your Highness,” said Lord Ralph with another smooth smile. “I also prefer silence to the yapping of inferiors.”

Galbraith stabbed his fork into the tabletop so that it stuck in the wood and stood abruptly. “Shall we have a duel, then, Ralph?”

“Sit down,” said Brighton, with his hand on his sword and sudden menace in his voice.

Galbraith might have said something else insulting, but Marin said sharply, “If you cannot eat civilly now, I certainly cannot hope for any alliance to last. Shall we end negotiations now, Galbraith?”

The Severtian said with withering disdain, “Leash your guard dog, or it’s him I’ll be dueling.”

Marin stood, pale and resolute, and said, “Galbraith, I will not ask again. Sit down and eat civilly, or I’ll have your entire party ejected from the city this very night. Threats against my staff will not be tolerated.”

Lord Galbraith rolled his eyes to the ceiling and sighed heavily. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

He sat and glared at Brighton, who kept a hand on the hilt of his sword. With a grunt of disgust, the Severtian yanked his fork from where it had been stuck in the table.

They finished dinner in a tense, unpleasant silence punctuated only by the soft clink of silverware on china.

Finally Marin rose, and her three guests stood in respect. She said, “Good evening, gentlemen. I will see you tomorrow at the dance when I receive the Frintan delegation.” She swept out of the room with Brighton close behind her.

Kaerius wanted to follow her and Brighton, but it made no sense for him to do so; he was thought to be a suitor, not a trusted confidant. Certainly he had no real right to follow her as if they were already a couple. So when she was out of sight, he sat again, presuming upon both his real and presumed rank that he had that privilege.