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The princess bit her lip and fixed her eyes on Kaerius’s face. “I am choosing to trust him,” she said at last. “Brighton does, and I find I want to rely on his judgement even when he is not able to protect me himself.”

Thank you. Kaerius bowed again.

Sir Vincent left, taking one of the guards to escort him as the princess had instructed.

Several maidservants brought out blankets to make a pallet upon the floor for Kaerius. The Mer prince did not realize what they were doing had anything to do with him until one of them curtsied to him with a sweet, admiring smile. Then the servants retreated to the princess’s quarters to wait for her.

“Thank you for your concern, Prince Kai,” said Marin. She smiled a little tremulously at him, as if she wanted to weep but didn’t feel she ought to.

Kaerius’s heart thudded in his chest.I am grieved that Brighton is injured, but I am grateful that you see enough of my heart to trust me this much. I love you. I have for years.

“What are you… does that mean love?” Marin said, her cheeks flushing pink.

Yes.Kaerius smiled, feeling oddly shy.I love you.

“You love me?” Marin asked.

Yes.He held out one hand as if asking her to dance.

Her cheeks grew pinker. “I shouldn’t,” she murmured.

Why not?He would have signed something flippant, but he remembered Brighton lying unconscious, and the very realdilemma the princess faced, and he smiled a little, hoping she would see how he let his smile soften, how his gaze was open and vulnerable, not bright and sharp. Then he waited with one hand outstretched, letting her decide whether she would give him this gift of time and trust, the gift of her hand in his.

She swallowed. “Do you really love me?” she said. “Are you sure you don’t just want my kingdom, like the others?” She smiled a little, as if it were a joke, but there was a real question in her eyes.

He stepped closer, slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. Gently, he took her hand and put it flat upon his breast, letting her feel how his heart thundered.

Marin looked up at him, startled. Slowly, carefully, he drew her into the dancing position, and when she sighed a little and relaxed, he began to lead her around the room.

There was no music, but he imagined the rhythm, and with his gaze on her face, he didn’t mind the lingering pain in his feet or the fatigue of the day.

Finally she stopped, and he followed her lead in this.

“I can’t marry you, Kai,” she said, her eyes firmly fixed on his lips, as if she did not want to meet his gaze at all. “I don’t want to lead you on. I am trapped by political considerations, and I am not free to choose my husband for love, even if I were impulsive enough to think I loved you already. Which would be precipitous, of course.”

He bent his neck just a little, so that he could meet her eyes, and she looked away.

Why?She should know that sign, because they’d used it that evening with Brighton.

“Why? Why what?”

Why are you trapped?He would have said it differently, but she didn’t know those words, and he hoped she might understand these signs.

She closed her eyes and bit back a sob. “I don’t want to marry either of those horrible men,” she whispered.

Marry me. He dropped to one knee before her, not out of any understanding of the body language of humans, but because he knew the light would fall on his face and show his sincerity most clearly, so that she would see the truth and love in his eyes. He pantomimed giving her his heart again.

“If I could, I would!” she said in a broken whisper. “I don’t… I know I don’t love you yet, but I think I could, with time. But my people need the trade route south, and Boravia has already threatened invasion if I don’t marry Ralph.”

Invasion by sea! Not likely.Then, with deliberate clarity, he signed,I would be honored to be your partner in protecting your people.

“You would…” Her teeth worried her lower lip.

Protect your people. And protect you, my beloved.

She covered her mouth with one hand, searching his face. “Thank you,” she said at last. “You’ve been very kind.” She took a deep breath, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something else, and then pressed her lips together.

You are tired, Your Highness.He hoped she saw the sincerity and hope in his expression.Rest well tonight.He bowed his head.