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The prince leans forward, his elbows propped on his knees, and runs his hands through his hair. I try to ignore the way it sticks up and begs for me to reach across and smooth it out for him. Saints, what has come over me? I quickly shoo the intrusive thought away.

“My apologies,” he sighs. “I do not believe my father will bring you to harm. But he enjoys showing his power. He will likely taunt you and…other such things. But he will not touch you.”

I nod slowly and think of Morraine.

“This has happened before.”

“Not often, but yes. He will want to see you cowed himself, especially if I have snatched you away from him at the last moment.”

The prince’s face is smoothed into something neutral, verging on disdain. The way he speaks turns my stomach. I hope his contempt is for the king, not me.

“Very well.” I stand, taking a fortifying breath. “I will survive through one dinner.”

The prince stands as well, and we look at each other for a moment.

“Miss Shivani—”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness,” I cut him off, curtsying. The prince may be my ally for now, but I would be a fool toput all my trust in one man. At any moment, he could reveal his true intentions. I do my best to ignore the way he looks at me. “I will return three nights a week, as per our agreement. I hope this is acceptable.”

The prince closes his mouth and gives a curt nod.

“It is acceptable.”

“My thanks.” I hurry out of his chambers, feeling his eyes on me but not looking back.

???

I spend the day with Inez in my chambers, playing cards and drinking tea. We sit at the window and bask in the sun. I am unused to so much sunlight on my skin from the thick canopy of trees over Mossgarde. But when I turn my face to the warmth, so close to how myau’manafeels, it comforts me.

When I tell Inez I did not see the king last night, her eyes widen and she presses a hand to her chest in relief. I explain the prince came for me instead.

“Oh,” she replies, blinking. “The prince requested you?”

“Yes,” I lie, omitting the incident of my attempted escape.

“I did not receive a note to deliver,” she muses and my heart skips.

“Um, yes, he came for me personally.”

I turn away to stop my face from betraying me, and thankfully, Inez does not probe any further.

“Well, at least you avoided the king,” she continues after taking a sip of her tea. “Hopefully, this storm passes soon.”

She glances up, and her eyebrows furrow at the look on my face.

“What is it?”

“The king has requested me for dinner this evening.”

Inez purses her lips and plays another card.

“Hm. He is likely displeased the prince claimed you at the last moment.”

“What do you think he will do?” I ask. My pulse quickens despite Inez’s casual tone. The prince seemed so sure the king would not come near me if he believed I was ‘marked’ by another man. I am not so sure.

“Nothing, miss,” Inez replies with a reassuring smile. I chew at my bottom lip, unconvinced, and place a card on top of hers. “I would not like to speak out of turn of course—”

“I think we have both said enough traitorous things this morning alone.”