“No, Grandfather. That’s not?—”
“What kind of test?” Ana’s voice rings out across the throne room.
“If you are to take the crown prince’s life into your hands, Princess Morgana, you must be prepared to take yourownlife into your hands.” He watches her carefully, like a snake about to strike. “After all, to claim the highest prize, you must be willing to risk death and dishonor. Is that a price you’re prepared to pay?”
Ana swallows, and I hear an intake of breath behind me. I throw a look over my shoulder to see Eryx shaking his head at me. It’s only then I recognize the significance of my grandfather’s wording.
I jerk around to face Ana just as she speaks.
“I am.”
“No,” I say, so forcefully Ana flinches. I level a glare at my grandfather. “That’s not fair. You cannot force her to swear a vow of dishonor when she doesn’t understand what it means.”
My grandfather plays his role well, sitting up straighter as if surprised by my accusation.
“Forgive me, but I assumed the princess would be informed of our customs. Especially after spending so muchtime withyou, Leonidas.”
He’s talking nonsense. The vow isn’t obscure, but it certainly isn’t commonly used. It even took me a moment to recognize it. Still, he has a point. Anahasspent a lot of time around me, and I should’ve prepared her better for this moment. I’ve told her before how powerful fae vows are, but she didn’t know that was what she was making. I could’ve warned her not to agree to anything my grandfather proposed before speaking to me first. Instead, I’ve just condemned her.
“What is that?” Ana asks, her eyes wide. “What kind of dishonor?”
“It’s a specific kind of oath,” I say. “Once sworn, if the vow’s bearer fails or withdraws from the challenge, no fae can fight by that person’s side or stay loyal to them without dishonoring themselves in turn. Everyone is tainted by association.”
I see something harden in Ana’s eyes as she realizes just how ruthlessly my grandfather has manipulated her.
“Then I suppose I’ll just have to pass this test then.” Her tone is wry, but I know she can see she doesn’t have much choice at all. She can’t risk the alternative.
“I appreciate you accommodating my request, princess,” my grandfather says. “You must understand I’m in a difficult position.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Ana says, making no reference to the fact he’s practically tricked her into “accommodating” him. “I know that everything you do is for the well-being of your kingdom.”
As she speaks, she stares him in the eye without blinking, and the words end up sounding less placating and more like a challenge. My grandfather must hear it too, because his expression stiffens slightly. Meanwhile, I try to hide my smirk.
“I have to insist that you be separated from everyone else ahead of the test, Princess Morgana.” He casts his eyes over me. “For the sake of fairness, you understand. We must be certain you don’t receive any outside help. I’m sure you wouldn’t want there to be any doubt that your victory is truly your own.”
I take a leaf out of Ana’s book and clench my fists by my sides. Clearly, he’s determined to make this as difficult for her as possible. The question is, who is he really trying to punish? Ana, or the grandson who failed him in Trova and has been making plans behind his back the last few months?
I get my answer immediately as the throne room doors swing open and a woman enters. A stab of panic runs through me as I spot the familiar blonde hair.
“Ah, Lady Naia,” my grandfather says with a smile. “Kind of you to come. After such a long separation, I know Leonidas must be glad to once again see his betrothed.”
Chapter 14
Morgana
That lying, cheating bastard.
That’s what runs through my head again and again as Filusian guards escort me through a part of the palace I didn’t see on my way in. Some kind of separate annex with suits of armor and weapons hung on the walls. Barracks, I guess, though I don’t really spare it much thought. I can’t focus on the decor with the level of rage pulsing through me.
Of course I’d wondered about Leon’s secrecy in bringing me to Lavail, but I’d been mostly satisfied with his explanation that it was about keeping my enemies from learning where I was.
Mostlysatisfied, because a little voice had still wondered if it was possible he didn’t want his grandfather to find out there’d been something between us. I don’t know exactly how the fae view such matters, but there could easily be consequences for a fae prince becoming intimate with a foreign royal. Or even just a human, princess or not.
But no, it turns out there was a much simpler reason than that. The low-down, dirty rat is already engaged.
I cannot believe he made me a party to his cheating while I was on the run and fighting for my life. Once again, the moment I start giving Leon an inch of trust, I discover there’s just another thing he’s been hiding from me.
It hurts—of course it does. But the way to push back the pain is to revel in my anger, so I let myself fume as we walk down the increasingly stark stone corridors, so different to the grandeur of the main building. Eventually, even my anger isn’t enough to keep the hurt at bay, and I try instead focusing on the matter at hand: finding out what I’ve just gotten myself into.
