Page 52

For a moment, the musicians were silent, and the dancers waited to hear what sort of song they would play next. But Kaerius did not wait. With his eyes on Marin’s, he led her into a soft, quiet dance, the steps slow and graceful, so he had as much time as possible to drink in her loveliness.

When they stepped toward each other, she murmured, “I find myself a little shocked at how comforting it is to have you protecting me. I feel I trust you more than is proper. I haven’t really known you long at all.”

Kaerius took in a short, sharp breath and blinked a few times, for his eyes felt strangely damp.

“I hope I haven’t offended you.” She glanced up at him.

He shook his head and smiled, knowing that his expression was open and vulnerable. He ought to have been ashamed of that vulnerability; he wanted to be strong and reassuring, not weak and silly. But her expression softened further, and ifanything, she took the next steps in the dance with her body a little closer to his.

His hand on her waist felt the warmth of her body through her dress, and his left hand felt the soft, smooth skin of her hand. He had thought her beautiful before he had bargained with the Lord of the Deep, but now, in her presence, he was more entranced with the sweetness of her smile and the courage of her kindness while she was trapped in this difficult situation. She had not, would not, let her situation prevent her from being gracious.

“This is the third song in a row, Prince Kai. I ought to dance with Ralph.” But she did not exactly pull away.

Had it already been two songs? He had not even noticed, though his steps had kept to the rhythm of the music. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again, knowing that even mouthing the words he wanted to say would not be permitted by the magic.

The music danced and spun, and still she did not pull away. She looked up at him, her eyes alight with something that was not yet love, but it was near enough that it seemed a precious gift to him. She trusted him, at least, and that trust strengthened his fierce determination to protect and serve her.

Whether she ever loved him or not.

Galbraith arrivedat the ball late, pleading a headache. He did not complain publicly about his shoulder, though he grimaced slightly when he raised it to dance with Marin once. He and his servants had apparently come primarily to assess the attendees for signs of guilt.

The Severtian lord approached Kaerius, somewhat to the Mer prince’s surprise, and said quietly, “I presume the crown is conducting a thorough investigation.”

Yes.

The lord’s eyes flicked around the room, resting on Ralph for a moment. The Boravian lord held a glass of wine in one hand and gestured with the other as he described the riches and might of Boravia to a small cluster of Elerian noblemen, who listened with varying degrees of interest and dismay.

“Who do you think did it?” he said, still staring at Ralph with hard dislike.

You want to duel him here and now? I certainly won’t stop you.Kaerius raised an eyebrow.I’d wager on him, though.

Only a few moments later, Ralph descended upon them.

“I’m glad you could join us, Galbraith. I heard you were indisposed?”

“Yes.” The older nobleman glared back at him with open hostility. “I suppose you heard that I was attacked last night?”

“Oh, really?” Ralph raised both eyebrows. “You seem fully recovered.”

“I was nearly murdered.” Galbraith smiled, but it was cold and unfriendly. “I presume it was by some rival for the princess’s affections.”

Ralph’s eyebrows rose higher. “That seems quite a leap. I would have thought that the guard you insulted and threatened would be a more likely suspect.”

Galbraith sneered. “You would think that, wouldn’t you?”

“Or perhaps that idiot prince?” Ralph glanced at Kaerius. “He’s pretty enough that I wouldn’t think he would see you as a true threat. But,” he eyed Kaerius scornfully, “he is rather small, after all. You know how short men compensate for their lack of height with viciousness.”

Kaerius was so startled by this that he merely blinked for a moment. When he had danced with Marin, he had liked that they were nearly the same height, for he barely had to look down to meet her eyes. It was true that he was significantly shorter than either Ralph or Galbraith, who were both taller than average. Among the Mer, there was no reason to esteem length, and it was barely a noticeable fact of one’s existence, which was given little to no importance in evaluating a rival.

It had not even occurred to me that you two pufferfish were so foolish as to evaluate me on such a trivial feature. Why, if you think me so small and worthless, are you so frightened of me?Kaerius met the Boravian lord’s gaze with cold glee.Is it because I’m so pretty or because you know yourself to be detestable?

Ralph’s eyes narrowed. “It’s too bad you don’t have your pet guard here to interpret your flapping,” he said finally. “It will be hard to make a reasonable case for Her Highness’s affections without words.”

The Mer prince gave a sparkling smile.I suppose it would be hard, if my case consisted entirely of threats and promises of power. But I will simply tell her that I love her, over and over and over, in as many ways as I can think of, and eventually she will believe me.

Galbraith said, “I suppose no one told you, Ralph. The princess’s pet guard was nearly murdered, too.”

The Boravian glanced at him. “Is that so? Pity.” He made no effort to sound either surprised or grieved by this.