Page 36 of The Starlit Ring (The Chronicles of Liridin #1)

“Damn it, Talina!” Ria cried, leaping to her feet, spinning to face me. With her hair half up on only one side, she looked positively crazed. “Why did you tell him that?”

“I didn’t!” I cried, taking a step back from her bared teeth and wild eyes. “I didn’t admit to anything! He deduced it!”

“From what?” Ria demanded, hands on her hips.

“That night back at camp—in the woods, I mean—I had a-a glowing obelisk. And he realized later that I’d probably created it. And he said that—that my buttons changed too often, and—I don’t know, he just knew! I didn’t admit to anything, but I agreed to look at something for him, and?—”

“He noticed your buttons ?” Ria exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “Your fucking buttons ?!”

“I, well, that’s what he said. I, um, I rotate them?—”

“Why the fuck is he looking at your buttons?!” Ria roared. The muscles on her neck corded out, and I stumbled back into the bed, terrified, as she came closer and closer, chest heaving, hands clenched.

“I—I?—”

“What the fuck is going on?” she screamed.

The force of her voice blew the hair back from my forehead. “Ria, please!”

She startled back to herself, inhaled sharply. Jaw clenched, fists tight, she sat on the edge of the bed. I remained at the vanity, feet rooted to the floor. “You’re right,” she choked. “You’re right. It’s not your fault.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Legs shaking, I joined her on the bed, careful to keep distance between us. “I—I’m not trying to take him away from you. He asked for help, and I—I finally gave in.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded.

I felt like a mouse under the eyes of a hawk. “I don’t know. He asked me not to say anything to anyone. ”

Ria snorted. “Of course he did. What else did he do?”

“Nothing,” I insisted. “Please, he didn’t do anything. He’s never done anything. He’s never even touched me.”

Ria watched me carefully for some indication that I was lying.

And I was, I realized. Marius had helped me up all of twice. But those were chivalrous gestures, only done for the sake of politeness.

They barely counted.

Then, of course, there was the time he’d bumped into my shoulder, and nearly knocked me down.

Alright, so he’d touched me exactly three times, and one of those was on accident. I hoped it was an accident, anyway.

“Never?” she said, brow raising.

“He helped up once or twice when I fell,” I huffed. “That’s it. Nothing to be jealous of. He was even wearing gloves.”

“Fine,” Ria groaned, slumping back against one of the posts supporting the canopy over her bed. “Fine. Alright. I’m sorry. It’s just… He seems to like you quite a bit.”

I shrugged. “Isn’t that a good thing? It would be nice to get along with your husband. Besides,” I reminded her. “It’s not as if he can change his mind about you.”

She chewed her lip as she considered this. “You’re right. That… might present a challenge.”

“I didn’t realize you liked him so much.”

Her eyes flashed.

Uh-oh. Wrong thing to say.

“It’s not a matter of liking,” said Ria. “It’s a matter of wondering what I’ve done wrong. I was worth going to war for, but he doesn’t want to get to know me?”

When she put it like that, I could understand her pain. “You spend a lot of time with him. Maybe he thinks he knows you already.”

She tugged at a loose curl. “Maybe. But he hasn’t… made the sort of effort I would expect after everything, honestly. ”

“Have you made an effort?” I asked, half-expecting to be slapped.

The back of Ria’s head thunked against the bedpost. “No. Not particularly. We’ve exchanged a few stories and discussed our likes and dislikes pertaining to food and entertainment, but that’s all.”

“Well,” I said, cheering greatly at the prospect of finally being helpful. “What if I helped you think of some things to discuss with him? Maybe you’d feel more connected.”

“I suppose,” Ria after a long moment. Her finger tapped against her chin. “If anything, I might dread my wedding night less.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. Ria would spend her wedding night with Prince Marius.

I’d avoided thinking about it until now, afraid all my feelings would come to the surface; jealousy, lust, longing.

I was unprepared for the way I wanted him.

Especially because I typically regarded men with passive interest. Once in a while, one would strike my fancy, and I’d be hopelessly besotted.

Then, my passion would wane, and I’d be glad that nothing came of it.

Even my most vulnerable self was fickle, and I knew it.

This newfound lust would fade. In a few weeks, I would barely even notice Prince Marius.

“I knew it,” said Ria, studying my face. Her voice was resigned. “I knew you liked him.”

My fingernails carved half-moons into the meat of my palm. “I—he’s very dashing,” I admitted at last.

“He’s dashing ?” She shook her head. “He’s got the complexion of a corpse.”

So did Ria, but I didn’t dare tell her that. “I… I’ve eyes, alright? I think he’s very nice looking.”

Her nose scrunched. “Ugh. Next, you’ll tell me he’s charming.”

“Sometimes,” I admitted begrudgingly.

“I thought you meant to reassure me,” she said, arms crossed.

“I am! I have no intention of causing any problems! Prince Marius hasn’t touched me! If he speaks to me again, I’ll tell you. I promise.”

I thought of my conversation with Queen Tarra and realized I couldn’t promise Ria anything. I’d already said I would help him again if he asked.

“Good,” said Ria sullenly. “You should. Tell me when my future husband is flirting with you, and I’ll stop him.”

I nodded. “I—I will. I promise.”

“Thank you,” said Ria, exhaling slowly.