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C ora fought every urge to fidget as she sat upon her throne before an audience of courtiers flanking a carpeted aisle. Any minute now, her royal guests would arrive. She’d have to receive King Larylis, Queen Mareleau, and Prince Teryn with rehearsed formality, all for the sake of their spectators. She’d have to see Teryn, speak to him in a cold and unwavering tone, and try not to blush. After their heated kiss mere hours ago, she feared it would be easier said than done.

Hence her current urge to fidget.

The discomfort of her ensemble certainly didn’t help. Her shoulders were heavy with the weight of her ceremonial cape, a mink-lined monstrosity of purple velvet emblazoned with Khero’s black mountain at the lapels. Her dress was nearly as smothering with its layers of heavy brocade, silk, and lace, boasting several shades of purple from lilac to violet. Purple wasn’t her favorite hue, yet it represented her kingdom. During formal audiences such as this, it was the most appropriate color to wear.

The stares of the courtiers were almost potent enough to burn, but she kept her gaze fixed on the doorway at the far end of the room, where her guests would soon enter. Her mental shields wavered, threatening to draw in the audience’s emotions. To strengthen her wards, she pressed her palms against the smooth, solid arms of her mahogany throne. Her tattooed palms tingled with the strength of the earth element, anchoring her, calming her, smoothing her nerves.

In a small act of boldness, Cora almost always kept her hands and forearms bare, revealing the insigmora inked there. The tattoos were a symbol of her magic, geometrical shapes and moon phases that were sacred to the people who had raised her for six years. Her former Head of Council had ordered her not to show off her tattoos, but now that Lord Kevan was dead, she refused to hide them. They were a part of her, as were the Forest People. It didn’t matter what rumors circulated about her. If the people surmised she was a witch, so be it. She was a witch. While she understood the dangers of outright saying so this early in her tenuous reign, she wouldn’t hide it either. Witches—a term hurled at anyone who had uncanny abilities, keen senses, an interest in folk medicine and ancient traditions, or even an overt fondness for nature—would be protected under her rule.

Let them talk. Let them know that ousting such individuals from their towns and homes would not be tolerated. It was the one stance she would not budge on, even if it put her throne at risk. She’d rather lose her crown than ignore the plight of her own kind.

Movement caught her eye from just outside the doorway. Her pulse kicked up, but she kept her expression neutral. The Master of Ceremonies stepped forward and announced the arrival of her royal guests.

“His Majesty Larylis Alante, King of Vera. Her Majesty Mareleau Alante, Queen of Vera.”

Two figures crossed the threshold and began their slow procession down the aisle. Cora’s eyes met Mareleau’s at once, and the other queen gave her a subtle smile. She looked beautiful with her pale blonde hair cascading down her back in neat curls, her silver-blue gown edged with white lace, its high waist sending gathered pleats to cascade down her abdomen, accentuating the curve of her belly.

Gods, Cora wanted to run down the dais and gather the woman in a hug. There were few people Cora felt compelled to greet with such affection, and there’d been a time when she’d vowed that Mareleau would never be one of them. But they’d bonded in an unexpected camaraderie last summer, after Mareleau had shared her vulnerable side and Cora had done the same in turn. Their friendship hadn’t ended after Mareleau returned home. They’d struck up a correspondence and sent letters back and forth, almost as often as Cora and Teryn had. Cora had been so fixated on seeing her fiancé for the first time in half a year that she hadn’t realized how elated she’d be to see her friend too.

Her gaze left Mareleau to assess the man beside her. She had to smother a laugh at seeing King Larylis, for he looked almost as uncomfortable as Cora felt in his formal garb. He was dressed in a white-and-gold ceremonial coat with a high collar buttoned almost to his chin, and a long gold cape trailing from his shoulders. His dark, copper-brown hair was shorter than she’d last seen it, the sides trimmed while the top was swept away from his brow. Upon his head, a gold crown rested, a simple band compared to Mareleau’s silver-and-sapphire tiara.

The pair reached the foot of the dais and dipped their chins in respectful greetings.

Cora returned the gesture and uttered her rehearsed welcome. “Khero gladly receives Your Majesties’ presence at Ridine Castle.”

Larylis echoed the sentiment back. “Vera is honored by Khero’s great welcome.”

“We congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials,” Mareleau said, her tone melodious and far less stiff than her husband’s.

Cora gave a practiced nod. “I accept your congratulations with great thanks.”

She clenched her jaw to keep from saying more. So badly Cora wanted to exchange more than dry statements she’d learned by rote, especially with Mareleau. But now wasn’t the time. Informal conversation would have to wait until dinner.

Cora’s eyes darted back to the doorway, anticipating her next guest. The Master of Ceremonies delivered his announcement.

“Her Majesty, Queen Mother Helena Harvallis. His Royal Highness, Teryn Alante, Prince of Vera, future King Consort of Khero.”

Cora gripped her armrests tightly as Teryn escorted Helena through the doorway. Her breath caught at Teryn’s warm smile, his gaze immediately locked on hers. She was grateful for their earlier reunion, for if she’d seen him for the first time now—his silver hair tied back from his face, his formal coat in gold and emerald, the latter color bringing out his eyes, the way his trousers hugged his muscled thighs—she might have fallen off her throne.

She could hardly bring herself to cast the queen mother more than a cursory glance, though the woman was dressed almost as elegantly as Mareleau.

Larylis and Mareleau stepped to the side to make room for the new guests. Teryn held her gaze, eyes twinkling with the same mischief they’d shone with earlier, even as he folded into a formal bow. Her heart kicked up as images invaded her mind, of him hefting her onto her dresser, his lips tasting her skin?—

She let out a shaky breath and delivered her formal welcome, an almost-word-for-word echo of the one she’d given Larylis and Mareleau. Her mind was so frazzled she couldn’t be sure she hadn’t stumbled over her words, but the fact that none of the courtiers snickered was a good sign.

Helena offered her expected congratulations, then Teryn spoke next. “I am humbled and deeply honored by our forthcoming nuptials that will bind our houses in health, sickness, celebration, and solidarity.” His formal tone was so at odds with the smile quirking his lips.

Oh, those godsforsaken lips.

She forced her eyes back to his. “Yes,” she said before she realized that wasn’t the response she’d memorized. Steeling her nerves, she delivered the correct lines. “I too am honored by the strength our union will bring and look forward to our nuptials.”

Cold. So cold. So lacking.

His gaze finally left hers as he stepped off to the side to allow Cora to give her attention to her next guests. She wasn’t sure who else had arrived today, as she was only expecting a few more noble families to attend. How could she focus on anyone else with Teryn so close?

Against her better judgment, she cast him a quick glance. He winked, and she couldn’t fight the smile that curved her lips?—

“His Royal Highness, Lexington Quil, Crown Prince of Tomas. Her Highness, Lily Quil, Crown Princess of Tomas.”

The Master of Ceremonies’ announcement had Cora sitting forward on her throne before she could rein in her surprise. A name left her lips. “Lex?”

She would be mortified by her break in composure if it hadn’t been mirrored by Teryn and Larylis. The two whirled to face the doorway just as two figures entered.

A man with dark-blond hair and a plump physique sauntered into the room, a ridiculously smug grin between his ruddy cheeks as he escorted a pretty woman beside him. She was almost as short as Cora with curves that rivaled Mareleau’s. Her auburn hair was arranged in a braided updo, displaying a rounded face and a disarmingly pleasant smile.

Cora couldn’t believe Lex was here. She’d invited him, but she couldn’t recall if she’d been informed of his reply. And the woman beside him was…his wife? He hadn’t been married when she’d last seen him, which had been at the battle at Centerpointe Rock. He’d come to Verlot Palace when she’d been taken by Verdian as a temporary hostage, but she hadn’t been able to bid him farewell before he’d left. While she and Lex hadn’t grown nearly as close as she and Teryn had during their travels last spring, she had fond feelings for the man. To her, he was a hero. He’d outwitted Morkai with a lie, pretending to side with the mage, after which he’d fled to Dermaine Palace to warn King Arlous about the sorcerer’s plans. He’d even fought in the battle against Morkai’s forces.

I know him! Valorre’s exclamation invaded Cora’s mind.

When did you get here? She hadn’t felt his consciousness connect with hers since earlier when he’d insisted Teryn smelled like strength and moonbeams. He was like that these days, coming and going at will, popping into her mind whenever hers drifted somewhere that interested him. Thank the gods he’d left her alone during her reunion with Teryn.

I know him! he repeated. One time he didn’t share his apple with me. Remember that? A flicker of resentment wove through the unicorn’s words, but his statement was otherwise good-humored.

I remember , Cora said and returned her attention to the approaching couple.

Lex and Lily stopped before the dais and gave Cora an exaggerated bow. Before Cora could deliver her formal welcome, Lex turned to the side and waved at Teryn and Larylis. Not a bow. Not a nod. A casual wave.

Whispers broke out from the courtiers at the fore of the audience, gossiping about his lack of decorum.

Leave it to Lex to breach formalities without a care in the world.

A grin split Teryn’s face. Then, with an amused roll of his eyes, he strode forward and crushed Lex in a hug. Cora froze in surprise, flushing as more whispers broke out. Teryn stepped away, and to Cora’s surprise, Larylis took his brother’s place, hugging Lex with only slightly more restraint.

Mareleau arched a brow at the display while Helena looked scandalized. Cora’s gaze flicked to the courtiers, then back to the warm reunion before her. She wasn’t sure what to do in this situation. Wait idly by? Call for order? Her palms tingled with a flood of calming energy, and she knew what she needed to do. No, what she wanted to do.

She rose from her throne and the audience went silent. Lex separated from Larylis, eyes widening when they fell on Cora. “Oh, right! Majesty, thank you for?—”

His words cut off as she marched down the dais, her skirts and cape trailing behind her. Lex’s expression faltered, as if he only just now considered that he might have made a blunder. He opened his mouth, stammering for words, but Cora gathered his hands in hers and gave them a firm squeeze. Her lips lifted in an unrestrained smile.

“Lex,” she said, tone sincere, “thank you so much for being here. I can’t express how much it means to me.”

His cheeks reddened and his expression turned bashful.

She released his hands and took up those of the woman beside him. Lily made a startled sound, but her sweet smile remained. “You and I aren’t acquainted yet,” Cora said, “but I do hope that will change.”

“You honor me, Majesty,” Lily said, her voice small.

“The two of you honor me.” Cora’s tone regained some of its formality. She spoke louder, allowing her words to carry to the courtiers. “Lex, you are my kingdom’s ally as well as Vera’s. You aided us when Duke Morkai tried to destroy us.” A collective intake of breath sounded from the audience at the mention of the duke, but Cora continued. “I look forward to furthering our friendship and am grateful for your presence.”

Lex bent forward in a bow while Lily dipped in an elegant curtsy.

Cora lowered her voice and adopted a casual tone again as she asked, “You’ll join us for dinner, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Lex said, puffing out his chest.

“Good.” With one last smile, Cora left the couple and settled back on her throne with controlled poise. She was pleased to see the courtiers were no longer whispering. Now that their queen had validated what they’d previously deemed unseemly behavior, they had no reason to.

Lex and Lily joined the others and Cora shifted her focus to greet her next guests. Though she continued to deliver her memorized words and welcomed nobles who were no better than strangers, her brief reprieve with her friends was enough to make the rest of the ceremony far more enjoyable.