Page 37

Chapter

Thirty-Six

W hen she got back, a warm meal waited in her room, and Lessia gobbled down the soup and bread so quickly that she was worried it would all come right back up again.

But after sitting down on the bed, her stomach calmed, and she stretched out her aching limbs as she waited for the sun to indicate that it was noon.

There had been lively conversations coming from the sitting room when they’d walked up the stairs, but she wasn’t about to spend one more second with those people than she had to, so she hid in her room like a child until the sun peeked over the cliffs outside her balcony.

Merrick stood outside her room when she opened the door, and with a grumbled “Let’s go,” he led her up the set of stairs the guard outside her room informed them would take them to the debate chamber.

Beads of cold sweat were rolling down her neck by the time they reached a set of white-painted wooden doors, and she wiped her damp palms on the black breeches she’d pulled on.

She wasn’t sure what was appropriate to wear to a debate, so she’d settled on her usual black tunic and breeches but took the time to polish her boots and brush her hair until both shone.

She’d left it down, even though elaborate hairdos were the latest fashion, mostly because she didn’t have the energy to put it up but also because the thick locks felt like they could help shield her from whatever she was to face.

Rolling her eyes at herself, she hesitated with her hand hovering over the gilded doorknob.

“What are you waiting for?”

Merrick took a step closer, the heat from his body burning into her back.

She turned her head over her shoulder.

He’d also changed, and even though he’d dressed in a simple ivory shirt and dark trousers, his pearlescent hair falling in waves over his shoulders, there was still an otherness radiating from him through his glamour.

Swallowing, she hoped none of the council members were too familiar with the Fae and would assume—like the rest of the nominees and guards—that he merely had a Fae parent or grandparent.

Merrick nudged her, and she realized she’d been staring at him.

“I—” she started, but his hand reached out for her.

For a moment she thought he was about to comfort her, but then he placed his hand over hers and opened the door. “Best to get this over with.”

Why she’d thought he might offer her some soothing words, she didn’t know, but a rush of disappointment slammed into her like the floor had this morning as she stepped over the threshold.

Forcing herself to keep her features neutral, she took in the room.

It was packed, with two dozen or so people milling about beneath a raised dais where five wooden chairs stood. The grandest chandelier she’d ever seen hung from the ceiling, its light mingling with the white winter sunlight sifting in through the windows lining the wall opposite the dais.

Lessia realized she’d underestimated the need to dress up when she caught Venko’s eyes from where he stood conversing with two older men.

They were dressed in elaborate jackets and doublets, with silver and gold embroidery delicately weaving its way up their chests and jeweled weapons hanging by their waists.

The women wore the latest fashion: expensive silk dresses—extremely impractical for winter but hugging their curves meticulously, with white ruffles that caressed their necks and peeked out from their short sleeves, contrasting beautifully with the vivid gowns.

Most dresses were colorful, lilacs and pinks and some beautiful greens and blues that stood out against the white stone walls of the room. Lessia pulled at her black tunic when two men gave her a once-over, disdain twisting their features.

A few more faces turned her way, and her cheeks heated when hushed giggles followed. Spinning around, she was about to hide behind Merrick, but he stalked right past her, joining the other companions by the wall behind the dais.

“You look like you’re about to be sick. Still not recovered from the cabin?”

Loche leaned against the wall to her right, and despite his amused expression, she made her way over, grateful that she’d at least have someone to talk to—even if he was planning on making fun of her.

“My guard thought I needed to train this morning, so I am mostly recovering from that.” Lessia ignored the soft laughs echoing behind her, keeping her burning face turned away from the crowd.

“Smart man.”

Loche brushed some dust off his jacket, and she trailed her gaze over him.

Like her, he hadn’t dressed up.

Instead, he wore the same jacket he always did, simple and black, paired with leathers and dark boots, his sword resting across his back and its hilt peeking over his shoulder.

When a particularly loud laugh reverberated through the room, a set jaw replaced Loche’s amused expression, and those piercing eyes shifted to his side.

“Would you like to enlighten us as to what’s so humorous, Malain?”

Lessia followed his gaze, and her eyes widened when they settled on one of the most beautiful humans she’d ever seen.

Ebony hair cascaded down the woman’s back, held away from her delicate face with two gilded combs that shimmered like the golden dress she wore. Thick, dark lashes framed her huge blue eyes, and her mouth was painted in a deep red, contrasting with her fair skin.

The woman clung to an unfairly gorgeous man. His dark hair was peppered with silver, but few lines graced his face, and his dark gaze was clear when he swept it over Lessia, then, with a bored expression, shifted it back to the man he’d been conversing with.

The beautiful woman raised a perfect brow. “Are we forbidden to laugh now, dear regent? You’ve set out to make life ever so boring for us already, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”

Loche offered Malain one of those lethal smirks Lessia hated when directed her way. “From what I’ve heard, your life is boring because that husband of yours can’t seem to stop gambling away your fortune.”

The man beside Malain shifted his gaze their way, anger flitting across his features.

“Or am I mistaken, Berhn? My guards reported saving your life when you stumbled out of that tavern, not even wearing the cloak you’d walked in with. And you still owe half the town money. I’m surprised you dared show your face here today—you’re braver than I thought.” Loche winked at him.

Malain opened her mouth, but her husband’s face reddened, and he dragged her across the room into a corner, where they proceeded to cast furious glances Loche’s way.

When Loche turned around again, Lessia offered him a small smile. “I don’t know if I should be offended or glad you treated me the same way you treated them.”

Surprise sparked in his eyes when he snapped them to hers, and when Lessia nervously licked her lips, his gaze flew to her mouth.

She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

But apparently, she’d lost all sense when she stepped into this room.

To her surprise, Loche’s lips lifted in a real, blinding smile, and a chuckle escaped him. “I’ve worked hard on my charm.”

She pulled at a lock of her hair to hide the heat creeping up her cheeks. “If that is you working hard, I truly don’t want to know what you are like when you are not trying.”

When his grin widened, she couldn’t help but smile back.

His face turned almost boyish, those gray eyes twinkling in the light and small dimples forming above his strong jaw .

Lessia had the urge to reach out and poke one of them but clenched her hands.

He’d probably bite her finger off.

A whistle behind them quieted the room, and when Frayson scaled the dais, her smile fell.

She had no idea what to expect from this, but she wasn’t eager to find out.

Frayson asked all nominees to join him, and as Lessia made her way through the parting crowd, Loche pulled her to him.

With his lips against her ear, he whispered, “They’re going to be ruthless, so make sure that mask you’ve perfected stays on.”

A shudder went down her spine.

She wasn’t entirely sure if it was unease or from the tingling sensation his lips had left.

Shaking her head at herself, she took the stairs to the stage, two steps at a time.

There was no turning back now.

She just needed to remember why she was doing this—for her family, for Ellow, and for her freedom.