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The rage that suffused Kaerius was startling in both its suddenness and its intensity. He trembled with the desire to rip out the smug Boravian’s throat right there, to bring justice to the dishonorable moray who had hidden in the shadows to kill a man far more worthy of esteem than himself.

“Do you have something to say?” Ralph raised an eyebrow at him and let out a soft, disdainfulpfft. He looked back at Galbraith. “Is the guard still alive, then?”

“Last I saw,” said Galbraith.

Kaerius tapped a finger against Ralph’s chest to get his attention.The only reason you are still alive is because the princess has not given me leave to kill you.

Ralph laughed aloud, the sound ringing over the music. “Still think you have a chance, do you? Without your pet guard, you are absolutely lost.” He grinned, his eyes gleaming maliciously. “I think I will be even more delighted to break your heart than I will be to gain the princess’s hand and rule over this wretched little kingdom.”

Kaerius spun away, snarling silently. If he had to look at Ralph’s face for another moment, he was not sure he could keep himself from instigating a fight.

The handsome young duke was nearly finished dancing with Marin, and Kaerius strode toward them with his face burning. He bowed sharply to the startled Frintan and took Marin’s hands.

“I wasn’t quite finished,” said Duke Lovelock, his voice betraying his annoyance.

Please.Kaerius held the duke’s gaze a moment, and the young man’s eyes softened.

“No offense taken, of course.” Lovelock smiled a little. “Is all well with you, Prince Kai?”

Kaerius managed a stiff, unhappy smile. Then he looked to Marin, whose eyes were wide in concern. He stepped with her into the rhythm of the dance, his eyes locked on hers. His heartbeat thudded in his ears, fast and hard.

“You look upset,” said Marin carefully.

He nodded once and flicked his eyes toward Ralph.

“Did he say something rude?” Marin bit her lip. “I don’t… well, I wish I could say to ignore it, but I can’t follow my own advice. But there’s no reason for you to be troubled by him. Was he insulting?”

Kaerius shook his head, and then nodded, and then shook his head again. It wasn’t the Boravian’s insults that had so enraged him, although certainly he wished to uphold his own honor. It was the venom in the man’s voice when he had referred to Brighton so rudely and the greed in his eyes when he had anticipated gaining power.

Keeping his steps in time with the music, Kaerius edged her toward the side of the room farthest from his rivals. When they were out of the main activity, he put her hand upon his chest so that she could feel his heart thudding with frustrated anger.

She looked up at him in surprise and concern. “Don’t let him goad you,” she said fiercely. “Whatever happens, I will endeavor to ensure that you are able to leave safely. You are not my subject, and even if Eleria is conquered, you should be free.”

The Mer prince was so surprised by this that he stopped dancing entirely and stared at her.

That was not at all my concern, Your Highness.

Marin’s hand tightened on his. “The investigators haven’t found anything tying him to the attacks. If we could prove he was guilty… but I can’t.” She shuddered.

May I kill him?He held her gaze.He is a murderous lying bully, and he does not deserve your patience any longer.

She pressed her lips together and studied him. She glanced across the dance floor at Ralph, who appeared to be regaling the Elerian noblemen with some story. The listeners did not seem particularly happy to listen to him and stared with varying levels of dislike and caution.

“Did you just threaten to kill him?” she said finally.

I would be honored and delighted to serve you in this manner.Kaerius bared his teeth.

Marin sighed. “It would be horribly unjust of me to permit you to risk your life that way for me, especially since you aren’t even Elerian.” Her shoulders slumped a little, and Kaerius’s heart twisted uncomfortably inside him.

He stepped closer and put one arm around her shoulders tentatively. It was a far more intimate gesture than the respectful little lick of her hand that first day; she could easily sink her teeth into his throat, especially since she was not much shorter than he was. Yet the Mer embraced family and trusted friends to offer comfort and affection, and Kaerius intended only to comfort her. While he feared she would pull away, he did not even think of how vulnerable he was to her until after he had done it.

Apparently in the human world, this soft, gentle embrace was less shocking than his chaste lick of her hand. She sighed, as if she were incredibly tired and frustrated, and turned to put her forehead against his shoulder, hiding her face.

He stood without moving, wishing to embrace her more fully but suddenly aware of the surprise in the eyes of the guard who stood nearby. Perhaps this was inappropriate for a ball.

With infinite care, he tightened his arm around her shoulders and put his cheek against her hair. She smelled of floral soap and humanity. Her hair was warm, and he inhaled her scent with a sudden rush of gratitude. If she would not allow him to kill Ralph, at least not yet, she had allowed him to offer this small bit of comfort and safety in the midst of her trouble.

She sighed and straightened. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Thank you.”