“Yes, damn it. Perri would never forgive me if I over stepped and took this away from her.”
“And I’m just as sure Alia would grab a sword, and carve out her anger on my flesh if I was to interfere in their schemes.”
“I don’t like how this feels. Being relegated to the side lines.”
“Hold on.” Talac’s eyes brightened as an idea came to him. “Who says we must just sit idly by? We’re not allowed to kill him, but there’s an awful lot of things to do to a man before you tear his heart out.”
“Where are you going?”
“To speak to the housekeeper, I fear there’s an issue with Soutner’s accommodation. Then I shall track down the head steward, and have a word in her ear regarding who should be seated next to the Baron when we have formal meals.”
“Talac…” Brandth was unsure whether he should say anything. “Before you go. I’d like to enquire of your… intentions when it comes to Alia.”
“My intentions? What’s brought this on?”
“People are talking… you spend more time conversing with her than any other candidate. She’s enough of a target already… I just ask that you factor that information in when it comes to your interactions with her.”
“People should mind their own business.”
“You’re the Prince, you are their business.” Brandth didn’t like saying it out loud, and by the way Talac clenched his jaw, he didn’t like being reminded of his duty and responsibilities.
“I admire her, that’s all.” Even to his own ears Talac knew the words sounded weak and was unsurprised when Brandth laughed in response. “Fine. I desire her.” It felt decidedly freeing to say the words out loud.
“You would make her Queen?”
“There is a vast distance between desire and wedding vows. She’s a rare woman, Brandth. All the things that should make her so very wrong, I find compelling. Her independence. Strength. Skills. A self-belief that in others I’m sure I would find arrogant, but in Alia, I find it admirable.”
“I think you captivated that she treats you like a man.”
“Yes.” Talac had to acknowledge, his friend had distilled his attraction to Alia down to a very salient point. “That goes a long way in her favour.”
“If we were out on the road, Captain Talac could have acted on such an attraction. But here, at the Palace, you have no such luxury. No, don’t even try to argue the point. You are His Highness: Prince Zariffe Talac Bausum Vallas… the fourteenth. If you dally with Alia, and that news got out, she and Gloomenthrall… all of her copious female kin… they would all be tarred by that brush.”
Grey eyes blazing for just a moment before Talac banked away the heat. Brandth’s words were unwelcome, but unfortunately a necessary reminder. From the cradle he’d been raised to be selfless, the King’s man, never his own. A tool. Whether that be providing a shining example by rising through the military ranks. Acting the covert master spy. Or donning the sash and medals here at the Palace, and presenting nothing but a haughty expression to the aristos.
He had learnt very early in life that fate could not be changed. Talac was heir to the Vallas Realm. And by default, he had less freedom than many an imprisoned man. He’d prayed for siblings growing up, to lighten the load. It was not to be. But he would give it all up for just one night to be a mere man, flirting and dallying with a woman such as Alia. He’d dance, drink, and make merry, then he’d lead her to a secluded room and make love to her until an hour before dawn. Before hustling back to his chambers, the Prince would need to awaken in his own bed, alone.
Instead, Talac had to act detached, and above reproach, showing no favouritism. Forced to watch Alia from afar. He couldn’t even dance with the woman unless he danced with every single candidate. Cruddy Hell, what he wouldn’t give to be a normal man… for one night… no heir mantle, no need for the Princely mask… mask!
The masked ball tomorrow night. Dare he take one night for himself? How could he not?
“I’m unsure I like that look in your eyes.” Brandth contemplated his friend. “You’re planning something, aren’t you? No. Don’t tell me. I have my own plans to put into action.” Glancing out the window Brandth had just spotted Perri’s fiery locks, glinting under the last of the setting sun’s rays as she and her two companions returned from the direction of the adjacent township.
Brandth had a prickly woman to pursue. He knew Perri had a lot on her plate. An abominable murderous estranged husband to send off to the nine circles of hell. And a long lost son to try and reconnect with. But he didn’t want her to forget about him. And it was well past time he reminded her that she hadn’t yet given a response to his invitation to engage in an encounter of the intimate kind.
* * *
Perri’s knees gave way. Luckily, Alia’s bed was there to catch her, several packages she’d been holding thumping to the floor. Gods, give her strength. Blinking back tears that threatened to fall, unsure whether they were the result of joy or terror. Perhaps both.
She’d just sent Levi away… and it had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. He and Deacon were headed to the stables, where they would join Molbee, the stablemaster, for an early dinner. Perri had also discreetly signed to Deacon that he show Levi a safe place to sleep at the stables. Anywhere was preferable than the idea of sending him back to his father.
The day had gone surprisingly smoothly as Levi had slowly shed his wariness of her and Deacon when Perri, acting the fine lady, had done nothing but feed him and expect him to carry a few packages. Giving him several coins when they arrived back at the Palace before promptly dismissing him. With payment for services rendered in hand, Levi had gifted her the sweetest smile, it made Perri’s heart ache.
She hated sending him away but there was always tomorrow of course, when she would see him again. Promising Levi further coin if he were to help her run more errands in preparation for the masked ball.
The knock at the chamber door had her frowning. Perhaps the boys had run into trouble and were back. That had her launching herself off the bed to fling open the door. “You!”
“Eagerness combined with a hefty dose of disdain. You have a unique way of flirting with a man, Lady Perri.” Brandth lurched forward, forcing Perri to step back. “Best to let me in before anyone sees me.”
