Page 31 of Between Smoke and Shadow
“Yes, my prince,” she says. I expect her to follow with an excuse, but she only clings tighter to me. “You have my word. I will never lose my temper again.”
I lower her in a dip and grin at the crowd. When I pull Viana back to my chest, her eyes lock on my lips. She kisses me, open mouthed and sloppy. Her tongue tastes like nightwater, and all I can think about is her black lipstick on my face.
“You have my word,” she repeats. Her lips brush mine as she speaks, and I can feel her smile. “You can trust me,husband.”
I quickly nod and pause to wipe the edges of my mouth. Then, I turn to face the crowd. Their eager eyes are already on us.
“Savoa!” I shout. I lift Viana’s hand in mine and try not to grimace. “Kneel for Viana Llroy, your future queen!”
Despite the cheers and eager bows, despite Viana clinging proudly to my arm…I can’t help looking forher. She’s still near the tables, knelt with Viana’s plate of food in her thin hands. Long brown hair, shielded eyes, an expressionless mouth. She doesn’t look horrified at my proposal, like she’s shocked I would marry someone so cruel.
Instead, she looks unaffected, unsurprised. And I finally realize, as she’s looking at me and Viana, she sees not one monster here, but two.
The following afternoon,I return to my quarters after a grueling training session. Joran and I tested a few new weapons, and I’ve got the bruises to show for it. I’m covered in sweat, body aching and in desperate need of a bath.
When I enter my room, Tora sits on my bed, grinning at me. She’s eating something fried and sweet-smelling, and there are already crumbs on my duvet.
“Your date is in less than an hour,” she says pointedly. “You look disgusting.”
“I’m aware,” I say.
I kick out of my shoes, leaving them in the middle of the room. At the Architect’s insistence, all heirs occupy these quarters, which he designed himself. Everything is a sharp, headache-inducing shade of red. The carpets, the drapes, the bedding, the walls. Only the dark wood furniture breaks up the monotone nightmare.
“Areyouaware these are my quarters?” I ask. “How did you even get in here?”
“You know I have my ways,” Tora says, taking another messy bite. “But we don’t have time to talk about that. I’ve been desperate to speak with you all day.”
“Well, get on with it then,” I say. At the end of my bed, a red suit hangs, pressed with shattered glass. I can only assume it’s to honor Demetrius Llroy and his ties to the City of Mirrors. I look back to Tora and arch an eyebrow.
“You broke the rules,” she says, bursting with excitement. She discards her half-eaten pastry on the nightstand and leans forward. She’s wearing pants and a simple shirt, a rarity for my sister. At my hesitation, her smile wavers and she lowers her voice. “Was the Architect furious?”
“He didn’t care,” I say with a shrug. It’s the truth. He can’t be bothered with silly things like betrothals and weddings and changing customs. All he cares about is getting more descendants and more magic. If it’s not related to his return to the Old World, he doesn’t waste his time.
“Well,Iwas surprised,” Tora continues. “Could you simply not help yourself? Vianadidlook beautiful.”
I study her, frowning. If I tell Tora the truth, that I despise Viana and was only trying to stop her cruelty, she’ll pity me. She might even cry, for me and for her own stale match. Her breakdown will make me late to meet Viana, and as much as I’d like that, it’d inevitably lead to drama from Mother.
“It seemed like a good move,” I say, turning toward the nearest mirror. My hair is damp with sweat, and the training suit is starting to rub against my neck. “It will give people the impression we’re soulmates, that we’re in love. They’ll look at us and see blissful harmony in Savoa’s future.”
“Sound a little more bitter, will you?” Tora snaps. When I glance at her in the mirror, she’s deflated. Shoulders slumped and arms wrapped loosely over her waist.
“What did you expect?” I ask. I lean against the vanity to face her. “You know Viana. You know me. You know the situation. Nothing changed because she looked pretty last night.”
Tora doesn’t say anything for a long moment. Her eyes start to water, and I know I’ve got ten seconds before she has a complete meltdown.
“Our marriages are part of the job,” I say. I cross the room to stand at the edge of my bed. “It’s strategic. Savoa operates best with both a king and a queen, and if people believe they’re in love, that proves to do even better. It might not be romantic or passionate, but it’s important?—”
“Oh stop it, Harrick!” she interrupts. She scoots toward me, letting her legs dangle off the bed. Her eyes still water, but she’s frowning now, lips harsh rather than shaky. “You don’t believe a word you’re saying. Don’t act like you’re okay with this. That you wouldn’t rather marry someone you love or at least someone youlike.”
I don’t respond for a long moment. I fidget with the shoulder of my suit, fingering the glass adornments
“Love is not for us, sister.” I force myself to look her in the eyes. “And despite what you think, I do believe it’s for the best. If I loved someone, the last thing I would want is for her to be trapped with me.”
“Harrick,” Tora says, voice cracking. “Come on, you can’t?—”
“I need to get ready,” I say. I collect my clothes and stride for the washing room. I don’t look back as I close the door behind me.
At the committee’s insistence,Viana and I have our date in the open-air courtyard. The same place I proposed. The same place she shoved Rune Ealde against a stone wall.
