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She stopped, and he reluctantly stopped with her, still holding her hand.

Ralph approached. “Your Highness,” he said with a smile.

“Lord Ralph.” She eyed him.

“You are lovely as usual this evening,” Ralph said.

I don’t like your smug face.

Ralph’s eyebrows rose. “Are you insulting me, Prince Kai?” he asked, his voice a little too innocent.

Kaerius smiled with a glitter of hostility in his eyes.I’m glad you understood that much, you contemptible murderous scoundrel.

“I suppose your little issue of having no voice is a boon for the rest of us. I hesitate to imagine how obnoxious you would be if you could speak.”

Marin said sharply, “Lord Ralph, your unkindness does not incline me to you in the least. I would think you would want to show your best side while in Eleria.”

The Boravian lord gave a forced smile. “Surely you aren’t actually enjoying the idiot prince’s company? Dance with me, Your Highness.” He took Marin’s hand and pulled her toward himself.

The princess drew her hand back and said, “Lord Ralph, I require civility toward both my staff and my guests. Is that too much to ask of you?”

Ralph’s smile vanished. “I don’t see why you should honor him with your attention at all. He can’t even tell you how lovely you are.”

The servant at the door boomed, “His Grace Duke Glen Lovelock of Frinta!”

Marin raised her chin and looked toward the door.

A blond young nobleman strode in with his head high. He looked toward Marin immediately and bowed, then approached. “Your Highness,” he said, bowing again. “It is an honor and a delight to meet you at last.”

Kaerius frowned.You had better not get any ideas. I’m going to win her heart. Just because you’re pretty doesn’t mean you have a real chance.

The duke glanced at him and smiled politely. “Glen Lovelock, Duke of Farhallow in Frinta.” He waited with eyebrows raised for Kaerius to introduce himself.

Prince Kaerius of the Mer of the Northern Seas. They call me Prince Kai.

Ralph, apparently not willing to embarrass himself by forsaking proper courtesy entirely, said, “That is Prince Kai, of… I don’t know where he is from. Some backwater, I imagine. He doesn’t speak, but he uses these hand gestures no one understands.” His eyes gleamed with hostility as he smiled at Kaerius. Then he turned back to the young duke. “I am Lord Hugh Ralph, Earl of Maissione in Boravia.”

Lovelock said, “Thank you, Ralph.” He smiled politely. “Your Highness, might I have the next dance?” He turned a sweet expression toward her, as if utterly oblivious to Ralph’s annoyance.

Kaerius’s gut twisted in dismay when the princess smiled back.

“I shall dance with Prince Kai next, and then Lord Ralph, and then you, if you please,” Marin said.

The Mer prince nearly breathed a sigh of relief, and he whirled her into the next dance without delay. He could not take his eyes from her face, and he wished he could speak to her. Could she see his sincerity and the depth of his devotion in his eyes? If she knew what he had risked for this chance to be near her, to show her his love, would she be charmed?

When the dance ended, he bent closer and put his cheek nearly beside hers for a moment. Perhaps it was scandalous. But he could not whisper into her ear, could not tell her what he wanted to say.

She took a quick, startled little breath, and she didn’t pull away.

Then Ralph’s detestable voice said, “I believe it is my turn, Prince Kai.”

Kaerius watched with narrowed eyes while the lord spun Marin around. Every motion was correct, but the Boravian’s expression was anything but kind and sweet. His handsome face was haughty and annoyed, and he looked at Marin as if he possessed her already. Kaerius felt himself nearly trembling with fury.

“Prince Kai,” the young Frintan lord said from beside him.

Kaerius spared him a quick, scornful glance.

“I take it from your expression you intend to win Her Highness’s hand.”