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Neither of her guards had offered much in the way of information about the situation in Marickshire, beyond that intervention required an individual of a certain rank, both men seeming to be of the opinion that no one should intervene at all. So Ahnna immediately went to her rooms and summoned Hazel.

“Hazel,” she said the moment the slender woman entered her rooms, “I was with James when his presence was requested to intervene on behalf of a woman accused of practicing astromancy. It sounded to me as though the mob intended to burn her without trial.”

“A trial is not required,” Hazel answered. “Astromancy is illegal, and civilians are encouraged to take action against practitioners.”

“An accusation is enough? Do the accusers not need to provide proof before they burn women alive?”

“If someone has been accused, there is proof,” Hazel said curtly. “Astromancy is illegal, immoral, and abhorrent in the eyes of the true faith. It is not worth His Highness’s time, though he may go to the scene to ensure no further violence results. Oftentimes, the accused’s associates will attempt to free them.”

She’d thought James’s swift reaction had been motivated by the desire to prevent the burning, but Hazel’s words cast that into doubt. “Is this a frequent occurrence?”

“Too common by far.” Hazel’s eyes searched hers with uncharacteristic boldness. “It is the reason the border between Harendell and Cardiff is closed. To prevent Cardiffians from coming into Harendell and forcing our people to take action against them. But they covet our land and gold, so they sneak across and attempt to blend in. I’m sure the clever ones abandon their ungodly practices and survive by blending in, but some insist on holding to their ways. This is the result.”

“I see.” Every part of Ahnna rebelled against such violent persecution, and her mind instantly leapt to wondering if it would be possible to change the laws if and when she ever became queen. It must have shown on her face, because Hazel’s mouth drew into a thin line. “I do not presume to advise you, my lady, but if you were to ask, it would be my recommendation that you refrain from voicing opinions on that particular subject.”

Ahnna chewed the insides of her cheeks, then decided this was not a battle she’d fight today. But it was a battle that she intended to fight when the moment to do so was right. “I understand. Would you arrange for a bath to be drawn? I smell of horse.”

Seemingly satisfied with her response, Hazel bobbed a curtsy. “Of course, my lady.”

—

Nearly an hour later, the servants had finished filling the large copper tub with steaming water, and Hazel helped her undress.

“You’re bleeding,” Hazel said as she examined the small stain on the back of Ahnna’s clothes.

“I fell off my new horse.” Stepping into the steaming bath, she reached behind her back to touch the injury, and her fingers came away bloody. “Does it need fresh stitches?”

“I don’t think so,” Hazel answered after scrutinizing the wound. “Only one stitch broke, though you should really take more care, my lady.”

“I’m going to try to ride him again tomorrow.”

Hazel sighed, but only picked up a file and set to work on Ahnna’s nails.

Ahnna was no fool; she knew the horse was not a well-thought gift but rather something convenient. Yet it was a concrete gesture, and that was something. And after her meeting with Alexandra, which had resulted in a night in the privy with vicious stomach cramps and endless questions, something was what she needed.

You are a disappointment, Alexandra’s voice whispered in her head, and Ahnna fought the urge to sink beneath the surface of the bathwater, the queen’s tone hauntingly reminiscent of the tone her own mother had once used.

Hazel finished with her nails, then said, “Would you care to soak while I see about your gown, my lady? I will not be long.”

“Yes.”

Hazel’s footsteps moved away behind the silk screens, the door opening and then shutting, lock turning. Ahnna settled against the back of the tub, though she was careful to keep the wound from being immersed in the water.

Don’t be sorry. Do better.

The queen’s parting words had been the ones to haunt her the most, because they implied a path forward. A way to become worthy in Alexandra’s eyes.

Apparently by becoming more like her mother.

Ahnna scowled, wanting to rebel against the very idea of it, but she forced herself to consider the specific criticisms. Reactionary. Not forward thinking. Blind to distant threats.

Criticisms, yes, but part of Ahnna wondered if Alexandra’s words had also been guidance as to how she might succeed in Harendell and gain the queen’s support. And the laxative in the tea…that had only been a petty way to reinforce Alexandra’s very clear statement: The attack on the Sky Palace walls hadn’t been ordered by her.

As to what Ahnna should do with all this information, she didn’t bloody well know, but the strange meeting had given her hope that her aim of saving Ithicana through marriage to William might actually come to fruition.

At the thought of her homeland, a wave of homesickness passed over her. As much as they’d all needed to leave, for different reasons, having all three of her companions depart had taken a toll on her. As though Jor and Taryn drifting down the river had taken the last piece of Ithicana she had with them, leaving her alone.

“It’s fine,” she muttered. “You’re surrounded by servants who cater to your every need and soldiers protecting your back. You’re hardly alone.”

Yet it had felt that way as she sat in the empty carriage returning her to the tower, and part of Ahnna had nearly broken in that moment. Had nearly begged the carriage driver to turn around, to catch the boat on which she could flee back home.

And then William had opened the door, offering her an olive branch in the form of a racehorse.

To put so much weight on a horse was foolish, but her heart had latched on to Dippy the moment she’d set eyes on him. Not only an olive branch, but the one thing in this place that could be hers and hers alone.

She was going to master riding that horse, no matter what James had to say about it.

James.

He had not been happy discussing his mother or Cardiff today, that much had been obvious. Yet while there might have been clever and roundabout ways of getting the information, in Ahnna’s experience, outright asking questions was usually the best way to receive clear answers. Or at least answers as clear as one could get.

Which was to say, not very clear at all.

Cardiff was easily the largest untapped market for Harendell. Except given that Harendellians burned Cardiffian women on the slightest accusation of astromancy, it seemed highly unlikely that the border between the nations would open anytime soon if for no other reason than that Cardiffian merchants would be risking their lives to trade within Harendell.

Though she didn’t believe James was as indifferent to the strife between Harendell and Cardiff as he claimed. How could he be when the only reason he wasn’t subjected to the same hate was that Edward was his father? More likely, James had learned the hard way about countering his father and his father’s laws, so he knew to keep his mouth shut. Which was telling enough. As was the fact that despite having had an affair with a Cardiffian woman and her bearing him a son, Edward had not repealed the laws banning the practice of astromancy in Harendell. Either James’s mother had set aside her beliefs for him, or Edward had overlooked them for her, but it obviously hadn’t changed his broader outlook in a significant way. And there wasn’t a chance that trade would flow with the Harendellians burning Cardiffian women at the stake with full approval of the king’s laws.

Which made Ahnna wonder if that was how Alexandra had gotten away with killing James’s mother. If it had been her at all.

He’s never been able to prove the identity of the culprit. If he had, they’d be dead.

Was that the truth? She hadn’t expected James to condemn Alexandra, but if it was someone else, why not say so?

“Bloody hell,” Ahnna muttered, rubbing her temple. They called the king’s seat the Twisted Throne in deference to the storms that plagued the kingdom, but it spoke to the politics of these people. And to the royal family, most of all, for the only thing that seemed to unify them was name and blood, their agendas seemingly quite at odds.

Yet Ahnna’s goal remained the same: do whatever it took to push Harendellian trade, and gold, into Aren’s coffers.

Which meant staying alive.

At least that challenge was a familiar one. It was also the only thing on which she and James seemed to stand on the same side.

The fire roaring in the hearth next to her disappeared from her vision, replaced with his face, brow furrowed in what seemed like a permanent frown, full bottom lip so reluctant to smile. He was so cursedly rigid and unwilling to bend on anything, and yet thinking of him made her toes curl, heat that had nothing to do with the scalding bathwater rising between her legs.

“No,” she told herself, even as she traced a finger between her breasts and over her stomach. “Do not think about him.”

Yet it was impossible to vanquish the vision of him vaulting onto her horse as though it were nothing, looking down on her as he easily mastered the massive animal. All muscle and broad shoulders, every instinct in her body screaming that beneath the manners and courtesy was a wolf, deadly in an instant if crossed the wrong way.

“Do not think about him, Ahnna,” she whispered as her fingers disappeared into the soapy water. “This is folly.”

Nor did it make any sense. Good-looking or not, James infuriated her with his endless need to tell her what to do.

Yet every time he offered her his hand, so goddamned proper in his fancy clothes that she wanted to kick him in the shins, the whole world fell away, those amber eyes burning into her soul. Seeing her the way no one else ever did.

“You’re going to make a bad situation worse,” she whispered, slipping a finger between her legs. “You can’t think about him this way.”

Especially given that William, despite his rare beauty, made her burn as hot as yesterday’s oatmeal.

“You need to learn to feel otherwise,” she muttered, trying to fill her mind’s eye with images of the crown prince. “You need to be able to at least fake wanting him. You can accomplish none of what you came here to do if you let your mind go down this path. Think about William, Ahnna. William.”

But as her fingertip circled her clit, all she could see was James. James soaked to the bone in the cave beneath Northwatch, his hands on her hips as he’d lifted her. James’s chest against her back as they’d fought through the storm. James carrying her down the steps after she’d been attacked. James’s lips on hers in the maze at Fernleigh House, hands gripping her hard and mouth claiming her in a way no man alive had ever dared. In the way she had always dreamed of.

What would it be like to see him unleashed that way again? For him to set aside the propriety that he wore as a shield and have the man beneath put his hands on her?

Her body crested with shocking intensity that tore a gasp from her lips, and she rode her fingers, imagining that it was him stroking her as wave after wave of pleasure rolled over her, leaving her so spent she collapsed back against the tub, sinking deep in the water.

And inadvertently immersed the wound on her back.

“Fuck!” she yelped, jerking upright as it stung. She rested her chin on her knees as the pain slowly eased. “You deserved that, you idiot.”

But there was no more time for admonitions as a knock sounded, a key turned, and Hazel announced, “It’s only me, my lady. Your evening gown has arrived from the modiste—the guards weren’t going to let it into the Sky Palace, but Prince James returned at that same moment and brought it in.”

Cheeks burning at the mention of his name, Ahnna said, “Let me have a look.”

Hazel appeared around the silk screens, holding a massive confection of bright-pink silk and white lace. “It was intended for Lady Elizabeth,” Hazel said. “Apparently, she refused to pay for it, so the modiste was willing to sell it to me for less than it’s worth. Not precisely your color, but…”

Don’t apologize. Do better, Alexandra’s voice said, followed by Bronwyn’s saying, Play the game.

Ahnna gave Hazel a tight smile. “Does it have matching shoes?”

—

An hour and a half later, she was teetering down the hallway on a pair of pink silk heels, doing her best not to step on the seemingly endless layers of fabric that surrounded her. It wasn’t so much that she couldn’t walk in high heels, for she had excellent balance—it was that Elizabeth had small feet.

Her guards took her to a private dining room, and when the doors opened, she was relieved to discover only the three royal siblings were inside. James appeared unmoved by however events in Marickshire had gone, only lifting one eyebrow at the sight of her, his scrutiny making her want to melt into the floor, given what she’d just been doing. William only gave her a dazzling smile, abandoning his seat to escort her to her chair. In heels, she towered over him, and Ahnna instantly regretted not wearing her flat silk slippers, even if they were covered with stains from the stable yard.

“Ahnna,” Virginia said, frowning. “I hear the rustle of satin. What are you wearing?”

“A new gown.” Ahnna’s cheeks burned, and she suspected she looked as foolish as she felt.

“Which dressmaker?” Her bottom lip pressed out. “And why didn’t they visit me?”

With every second that passed, wearing the dress felt like a bigger mistake. “Hazel selected it from a modiste in Verwyrd. Something already made, I believe.”

“I’m sure it’s lovely.” Virginia smiled. “James, do describe it for me. You’ve an eye for detail.”

He eyed Ahnna over the rim of his wineglass. “Raspberry cream puff.”

Though she hadn’t thought it possible, her whole body flamed hotter, his comment made even worse by the fact she’d not long ago been pleasuring herself to visions of him like the idiot she was.

“Ignore him,” William said. “Jamie wouldn’t know style if it slapped him in the face. His uniform is the only item of color in his wardrobe, and I think if he had his way, he’d change Harendell’s colors to black so as to expunge color from his wardrobe entirely.”

“I’ve already petitioned Father for it,” James said. “Denied.”

The trio laughed, and Ahnna took a sip of her wine, trying to relax. Which was a challenge, given the corset barely allowed her to breathe. What cleavage she had jutted almost to her chin, she was laced so tightly.

“I heard that William gave you a horse,” Virginia said. “And that Jamie is teaching you to ride. You’re in good hands—he’s an excellent rider.”

God help her, but Ahnna knew too well what it was like to be in James’s hands. “Given I only managed to sit on my horse’s back for all of a second before he tossed me in the dirt, I need all the training I can get.”

“Oh dear.” Virginia motioned to the servants to begin serving dinner. “What horse did you give her, Will?”

“His idiot racehorse,” James answered sourly. “The creature has a brain the size of a walnut.”

“Oh, really?” Virginia said. “I thought Dippy had another year at the track?”

“You’re mistaken,” Will said. “Aged out. But he’s handsome and tall, so I thought he was a good fit for Ahnna. Fast, too, and I can’t imagine that a woman capable of guiding a ship through a storm would want a slow steed.” He winked at Ahnna.

“That horse would run straight off a cliff,” James said, glowering at his wine. “Daisy would be a better mount to learn on, but Ahnna wouldn’t listen to reason.”

“You didn’t attempt to reason with me,” Ahnna said. “Only told me what you thought I should do. I disagreed.”

“I don’t blame you, Ahnna. Daisy’s barely more than a pony,” Will said. “And she’s the slowest horse in the stables.”

“She’s not,” Virginia protested. “Daisy is the sweetest. But Maven would be the better choice, Jamie. Best-trained horse in the stable, plus she’s quick.”

“Maven’s mine.”

Virginia rolled her eyes. “Never learned to share.”

“Ahnna will master Dippy, I’m sure of it,” William said. “Mark my words, she’ll be galloping across the countryside within the week.”

“I’m a quick study.” Ahnna took another sip of her wine. “Where are the king and queen this evening?”

William yawned. “They left for Whitewood Hall for the hunts.”

What?

“It’s a three-day journey north of Verwyrd,” Virginia said. “I believe they left while you were at the quay. I’d normally travel with them, but Mother wished for me to remain with you.”

“I would have traveled with them as well,” Ahnna said, still unsure whether this development was good or bad, but understanding very clearly that the timing of their departure had been no accident.

“Given the attempt on your life, it wasn’t deemed safe for you to be on the road,” Virginia said. “Better for you to remain in the Sky Palace, where it’s easy to control who comes and goes.”

“Only the most determined assassin would bother with the climb,” Will said with a laugh. “And the fittest.”

“Assassins are usually fit,” James muttered, snatching up his soup spoon and staring at the bowl like it had personally offended him. “If for no other reason than that they need to be able to flee the scene of their crimes.”

William waved a hand as though assassins were of no consequence. “The Amaridians have other problems to claim their focus than our dear Ahnna. Skirmishes in the Lowlands is what I’ve heard.”

The Lowlands was a coastal region north of Amarid that had been annexed by Harendell a generation ago. Though cold, the area was productive in the warmer months, and there had long been reports from Ithicana’s spies that Queen Katarina desired to reclaim them. It was believed that the reason she’d allowed Silas to rent her navy was to secure his support in the fight to reclaim the Lowlands. Though given the heavy losses Amarid had taken in the siege of Eranahl, the alliance had done more harm than good. “Will you send soldiers to defend the territory?”

William nodded, his mouth full of soup, but once he’d swallowed, he said, “They want a fight, we’ll kick them in the teeth, right, Jamie?”

James gave a tight smile, spooning soup into his mouth as though it were his last meal.

“Let’s not talk about politics,” Virginia said. “It’s tedious.”

Ahnna didn’t agree. “How long do you anticipate the conflict will go on for?”

“Not long. We’ll show them what’s what, and they’ll crawl back south.”

James was now attacking a dinner roll as though he desired to murder rather than consume it, and Ahnna suspected that meant he had different views but was declining to share them. Which was worrisome. She was already struggling to get a moment in Edward’s presence to discuss trade, and an escalation in the conflict with Amarid would only make his time more precious. Never mind that Harendell might well need many of the resources that they typically exported, namely, steel.

“If it’s war with Amarid,” William said, “we’ll be looking to Ithicana to show itself a true ally by denying them access to Northwatch’s market. See how long Katarina can fund her war with no trade east and no trade south.”

Amaridian wine was a significant source of bridge tolls, for the Maridrinians and Valcottans alike adored the northern vintages, and the wealthy imported a great deal of it. To lose that? Ahnna could feel the blood draining from her skin. “The southerners would take issue with that, I’m afraid. In our attempt to punish Amarid, we’d risk angering other nations.” She gave a tight smile. “Keris Veliant is particularly fond of Amaridian wine.”

“How else will Ithicana support us if it comes to war if not in stymying Amaridian trade?” William asked, his eyes burning into hers as he ignored her comment. “As formidable as Northwatch’s shipbreakers might be, I don’t think you’ve got the range to hit Amarid.”

“We have spies in places that you do not.”

William’s head tilted. “Are you suggesting that your brother currently withholds intelligence that might aid us?”

“No,” she said between her teeth. “I’m suggesting our spies might be deployed to serve your purposes.”

He huffed out an amused breath. “Ithicana only has one card to play. I’m sure your brother will see reason and play it, if it comes to war. Remember that we were willing to bleed for you against Maridrina when it benefited us little. If Ithicana isn’t willing to do the same, we might have cause to question whether we have an alliance at all. Whether Ithicana is the friend we should be leaning upon.”

Ahnna’s fingers turned to ice, because William had consumed a great deal of wine and might be revealing things he should not. Things like other alliances. And other markets. “What other friends does Harendell have in the north but Ithicana?”

William was deadly silent, then he burst into laughter. “None, as the case may be. So I shall pray that your brother does not leave us standing alone if war comes to the north. It would be tragic to find ourselves friendless in our time of need.”

“This is boring,” Virginia declared. “And hardly worth the conversation. Every other year, we teeter toward the same conflict and then back again. The spies have cried wolf about war too many times. I no longer believe it will happen.”

James stabbed at a thick slice of roast beef, looking ready to kill the cow it had come from for the second time.

“You don’t agree?” Ahnna asked him.

“I’m a soldier, so I hardly find discussions about the potential for war boring. ”

Virginia stuck her tongue out at him, then said, “You should have invited Georgie, then. He would keep me entertained while you bore Ahnna with the same conversation I’ve heard a hundred times.”

“Still fancy Georgie, do you?” Will asked. “I remember when you used to practice signing your name as the Countess of Elgin.”

“Depends on my mood.” Virginia took a thoughtful sip from her glass, not seeming to be the slightest bit embarrassed. “Elgin is so far north, it’s practically in Cardiff. I don’t know if I could stand it.”

“I’m sure Georgie would keep you warm on those cold northern nights, little sister.” William smirked at her. “Since you can’t see for yourself, I’ll do you the favor of letting you know that in the years since you exited childhood, Georgie has taken to gaping at you like a fish that has found itself on land.”

Virginia picked up a dinner roll and threw it at him with surprisingly good aim.

“Cast your aspirations elsewhere,” James said. “George is too old for you.”

Virginia scowled. “He’s the same age as you.”

“Which is twelve years your senior.”

“Which makes him finally of an age worth noticing,” she said. “It’s a well-known fact that boys don’t become men until the age of thirty.”

William shot her a frown.

“Almost there, Will,” James said. “On your birthday, I’ll teach you how to shave.”

Will lifted his glass. “To the last six months of my boyhood. Huzzah!”

“Huzzah!” the other two declared, lifting their glasses, and Ahnna politely sipped at hers, remembering when she and Aren used to bicker like this. Before it had all gone to shit, and jests had turned into jabs intended to hurt rather than amuse. She missed that. Missed him.

Ahnna abruptly realized that all three of them were looking at her expectantly and that a question had been posed. “Pardon?”

“How are unions determined in Ithicana?” Virginia asked. “Your kingdom is such a mystery to us.”

“Oh. Well, typically, people wed whomever they wish to spend their lives with. Someone they have fallen in love with.”

“Love matches?” Virginia’s eyes widened, then narrowed, the wheels in her mind clearly turning as she digested the revelation. “Even the nobility?”

“Yes.” Ahnna took another small sip of her wine. “The Fifteen-Year Treaty was the first time in memory that a betrothal was made political. To end the war with Maridrina, of course, but also because my mother wished for Ithicana to cease holding itself apart from the rest of the world. She believed marriages would aid in that.”

“It never occurred to her that Silas would take advantage?” William asked. “Because I assure you, no one was surprised that he made a move, only by his methods.”

“I think she was so focused on the dream that she lost sight of reality.” Ahnna didn’t add that Aren had been the same way. Idealistic. “Though perhaps she had the right of it, because thanks to that treaty, Ithicana’s bond with Maridrina, and now with Valcotta, is stronger than ever. The southern alliance is held together by blood and”—she nudged Virginia’s shoe with her own—“love matches.”

Virginia’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“A dream, indeed,” William said, his smile bemused. “It is your bad luck to have been sent north where love matches are the domain of novels and plays, reality ruled by the games and power plays of those who rule. Or those who aim to rule.”

Apprehension turned her stomach, but Ahnna forced herself to say, “That could change.”

Green eyes bored into hers, and for a moment, Ahnna thought he’d lash out at her for daring to suggest their marriage might be more than an alliance of kingdoms, but then William smiled and said, “You’re right. It could change. It should. ”

His burst of furor ought to have pleased her, but the apprehension in her stomach only grew, instincts screaming a warning though she did not see the threat. You fight only the opponent right before you and don’t lift your head to see the one shooting the poisoned arrow from afar.

“Huzzah,” Virginia declared. “To love matches. Let Georgie and I be the first, even if he doesn’t know it yet. Now eat faster—I want to play cards.”

Cards, as it turned out, were played blindfolded, the cards themselves marked with raised bumps declaring their number and suit.

“When it became clear that my vision would soon be a thing of the past, I had to learn to read another way,” Virginia said. “My brothers declared their intention to learn along with me, and one of the first things we did was start playing cards blindfolded to make it fair. Jamie can tell if you’re bluffing from the way you breathe, so be mindful.”

“Jamie is adept at everything,” Will added, and Ahnna sorely wished she wasn’t wearing a blindfold because she could not read James’s silence.

“It’s true,” Virginia said. “He masters all of Father’s inane hobbies, even taxidermy. Our projects all grace Fairfield House, which is our hunting lodge. While James’s wolf appears so alive it might bite your arm off, my deer is lumpy, and Will’s bobcat is cross-eyed.”

“If I am better, it is only because I make an effort, whereas you two cannot be bothered.” A chair scraped back, and Ahnna removed her blindfold to discover James was standing. “Unfortunately, I have some matters requiring my attention tonight, so you will have to find another target for your teasing.”

“But it’s late,” Virginia protested. “And we are having fun.”

“Yes, but unlike the three of you, I have duties.”

“What duties that you couldn’t delegate to someone else?” Virginia demanded. “What is the point of being a major general if you do everything yourself?”

“With rank come obligations that can’t be delegated.”

“Don’t neglect your duty to Ahnna,” William said. “Riding lessons tomorrow, correct, my lady?”

“I can manage on my own.”

“I won’t hear of that,” William said. “James, you’ll make time, yes?”

Making time looked like the last thing James was interested in, but he inclined his head. “Of course. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

As he turned, Ahnna found herself asking, “What happened to the woman in Marickshire?”

James did not turn around, but Ahnna swore he stiffened slightly before he said, “I crossed paths with a messenger on my way who informed me she was already deceased. They burned her alive.”

Then he left without another word.

“Why don’t the Cardiffians learn?” Virginia muttered. “It’s so frustrating how they endlessly put us in this position.”

It was a heartless response, but Ahnna bit down on a retort and instead asked, “What business is there at this hour?”

“Patrols, I assume,” William said with a shrug. “James likes riding around in the dark looking for evildoers. Idleness drives him mad. Though in this case, it’s because armed Amaridians are rumored to be mucking about the countryside, and there is little he likes better than hunting them. Overachiever, our brother is. Although I suppose he might also have an assignation planned. Who can say.”

Ahnna’s stomach dropped, but she kept her face blank as she said, “I wasn’t aware the Amaridians were still causing trouble.” Nor did she think that was what James was attending to, given it was a task that could most certainly be delegated.

Virginia blew out a breath between pursed lips. “If Jamie wanted us to know what he was doing, he’d have told us. His business is his own.”

If it had been Amaridians, James would have said so, and jealousy Ahnna had no right to feel bit at her stomach that William’s offhand remark might well be the truth. That he might have a relationship with some woman.

Except if that was the case, why had he kissed her that night in the hedge maze? James did not strike her as the sort to be so faithless as to kiss one woman while courting another.

Unlike you, she silently chastised herself. Apparently, you are precisely that faithless, kissing one brother while betrothed to another. Satisfying yourself with visions of one brother while you pursue marriage with the other.

Ahnna struggled not to cringe, especially when she realized that William was watching her intently. “His dedication is commendable,” she said.

“It most certainly is.” William tilted his head slightly as he considered her. “But alas, on that note, I am to bed. I had a long day at the races and will leave you two to your gossip. Good night.”

“Good night,” Ahnna murmured, her attention turning to Virginia as the prince departed the room.

“More wine?” Virginia asked. “It’s early yet.”

Ahnna nodded assent. Virginia gestured a hand, and a waiting servant filled both their glasses. “It’s a positive sign that William has given you a gift,” the princess said. “I know he’s not been the kindest to you, but he has a good heart. He’s just learned to keep it hidden.” She sighed. “It’s difficult for him, always having to live up to Jamie, whom our father has always placed on the highest of pedestals because Jamie is good at all the things that our father values. No matter how hard he tried, Will could never please our father, so for years now, he’s given up trying at all. Yet in recent days, he’s rallied, and I think it’s because of your presence. You heard his reaction to the idea of love matches.”

The unease Ahnna had felt at William’s fervor over the suggestion returned, though she could not articulate to herself why.

“Do you think you could come to love my brother, Ahnna?” Virginia asked. “To build a marriage based on more than just politics? Because in my heart, I think there is nothing William desires more than to be loved. And I believe he deserves love from his wife.”

Ahnna felt her throat close up, her heart recoiling because the answer was no. She did not see herself ever loving a man like William. What she saw was a future that she’d endure for the sake of Ithicana. But that wasn’t the answer Virginia wished to hear. “I have high hopes for a friendship between us,” she finally said. “While I hope for more, hope for love, I worry about putting my heart at risk.”

“Isn’t that the point of love?” Virginia asked. “To risk everything for it, most especially your heart? Like Keris did for Zarrah.” The corner of her mouth turned up. “Like your own brother did for his wife?” She narrowed her eyes. “Or must it be my brother’s heart that takes all the risk?”

The defensiveness in Virginia’s voice was intense, and having been in the woman’s shoes, Ahnna understood her position all too well. “I’ve no intention of hurting your brother, Virginia. But it was your advice to allow him to come to me, your advice not to push, and I took that to heart.”

Virginia was silent for a long moment. “You are not fooling me, Ahnna. I know you hold no romantic interest in my brother. My eyes may have failed me, but in their loss, I have gained other instincts. If you were a Harendellian woman, I might think nothing of your lack of interest, as you’d have been raised not to expect sentiment in your marital union. Except what you told me tonight of Ithicana’s practices make me wonder why you’ve so easily come to terms with a loveless future.”

“What would you have me do?” Ahnna asked, fully aware she was on the back foot in this argument, the princess more perceptive than she’d realized. “Throw myself at your brother? Wait naked in his bed so as to seduce him? He’s not stupid. He will know that after how he has treated me, my behavior is a pretense, and I think it a far better thing for our relationship to have a foundation of honesty rather than deception.”

“I could not agree more.” Virginia’s expression was hard. “I will be frank. You told me that it was your choice to come to Harendell, but I find that suspect. You might have remained in the land of your birth and had everything: power, privilege, and true love. You told me you desired to come to Harendell because you wished to do good things in union with William, but what good things? Harendell’s relationship with Ithicana is already strong and prosperous, so what do you aim to accomplish that is worth all that you have quite clearly sacrificed? Why are you here, Ahnna? What are you using William to achieve?”

Shit shit shit! Ahnna silently screamed, because what possible answer could she give that would satisfy the princess?

“My mother gave her word when she signed the Fifteen-Year Treaty with your father,” Ahnna finally said. “I committed to the same promise when I met with him to secure aid against Maridrina. When I give my word, I keep it, no matter the cost to me. All that said, I do desire to have a positive union with William. It is my goal to make this marriage work as well as I am able. But I cannot promise an emotion that has not yet been earned by either of us.”

Silence stretched, the tension thick enough to cut with the knife strapped to Ahnna’s thigh. Then Virginia said, “I believe what you say is true. Yet I do not find that I trust you, Ahnna Kertell.”

“Trust is another thing that must be earned.” Ahnna rose to her feet. “I should go to bed. Thank you for the lovely evening.”

Leaving Virginia to her wine, Ahnna fought the urge to take the painful shoes off and walk barefoot on the thick carpets as she made her way back to her room. The halls were empty of everyone but the guards, the palace quiet. Likely, she now realized, because half of them had left with the king and queen.

Then she heard a yelp of pain. Picking up the pace, Ahnna rounded the corner to find Elizabeth with a riding crop in hand.

And a leashed Lestara on her knees.

“Beg, you little bitch,” Elizabeth said, and when the Cardiffian princess refused to move, she lifted her arm to strike her with the crop.

But Ahnna was faster.

Snatching hold of the whip, she jerked it out of Elizabeth’s hand. “ Stop. ”

The young woman whirled, eyes filled with outrage. “How dare you!”

“How dare I?” Ahnna used her superior height to loom over the other woman. “How dare you treat another human being like an animal.”

“She’s from Cardiff!”

“I don’t care.” Ahnna took a step closer, and a look of apprehension filled Elizabeth’s eyes. “If you wish to kill her, I won’t stop you, but I will not stand by while you abuse and humiliate her for your own amusement.”

“How can you say that, knowing what she did?” Elizabeth retorted. “She’s here as punishment. So she deserves punishment.”

“But not by you.” Ahnna smacked the crop against her own palm with a loud crack, staring the courtier down. “Because you don’t care about her crime. You only care about feeling powerful.” She lifted Elizabeth’s chin with the end of the crop. “But you’re not. You will treat her with dignity, or you will answer to me.”

Elizabeth took two quick steps back and hissed, “Have it your way, my lady. Though you should have let us have our sport with Lestara. Now when we get bored, we’ll turn our sights on the next best thing.” Giving Ahnna one last sneer, she stormed down the hallway.

“Thank you.”

Ahnna turned to find Lestara on her feet, neither of Ahnna’s bodyguards having moved to help her up. There was a livid red mark across her neck and another across her cheek. “Don’t thank me. I think Keris should have cut off your head and staked it on the gates of the city you saw burn.”

“I wish he had.” Lestara lifted her chin, amber eyes boring into Ahnna’s. “But men are very good at orchestrating the misery of women. Especially pawns that don’t stay in the correct places on their game board.”

“You made your own bed. Don’t come to me for sympathy.”

“I’m not.” Unfastening the diamond collar from around her neck, Lestara dropped it on the floor. “But a bit of advice. These women might be kind to your face, but they don’t like you. They don’t like anything that is different from them, because it invalidates how they choose to be. That dress”—she jerked her chin at the gown Ahnna wore—“they planted that just for you, though don’t blame your maid for it. Elizabeth arranged it with the modiste. The whole palace has been snickering all night at how stupid you look, though I heard that only James had the balls to tell you.”

Ahnna’s jaw tightened, now seeing what she’d taken for mockery as honesty. And Elizabeth wouldn’t have done it without Virginia’s approval, which meant the princess had been in on it.

“It doesn’t matter how hard you try. It doesn’t matter if you wear their clothes, talk like them, act like them—you’ll always be an outsider. Which means you’ll always be seen as less, ” Lestara said. “So keep your dignity and don’t even try.”

“Advice you don’t seem to follow, which makes it suspect.”

Lestara smoothed her skirts. “I was sold by my father in exchange for better prices on animal pelts. Treated like a broodmare in Silas Veliant’s court. Relegated to spinsterhood by the worst king Maridrina has ever had, and then cast into exile for trying to have him removed. Now I live under the eye of yet another king who is content to see me treated like a dog, just as he is content to allow his people to murder my people for their faith. All men do is use me to achieve their ends.” Spreading her arms wide, Lestara added, “I have no dignity left to lose.”

She took a step toward Ahnna, and her bodyguards moved to push Lestara back. But Ahnna motioned them away, allowing the smaller woman to come close even as she closed her fingers over the tiny knife hidden in her pocket.

“My fate was foretold, and it is not this,” Lestara whispered, her amber eyes glowing. “Patience will deliver me.”

“The only thing that will deliver you from this is death, Lestara,” Ahnna said. “Keris is consort to the empress of Valcotta. Edward will not cross him, for he will not cross Zarrah. ”

At Zarrah’s name, hatred bloomed in Lestara’s eyes. The seething sort of rage that destroyed sanity and consumed everything in its path, and Ahnna had to curb the urge to draw a weapon and kill this woman. For no good would she ever do.

“I know your past, Ahnna Kertell,” Lestara said. “And I have seen your future. Run. Run as far and as fast from Verwyrd as you can, because the only thing here for you is death.”

Then she twisted away and, a heartbeat later, was gone from sight.