“Who do you have with you?” the man asks.
“My wife, Sol, of the Kyanite tribe.”
The man’s brow rises as he sweeps his intense eyes between us. “Have you gone mad?”
“She bears the serpent mark, Alden,” Gabriel says, his words low and prodding at my composure.
“Impossible. A Kyanite?” Alden asks.
“It’s true.” Gabriel tightens his grip, brings us closer to Alden, and stands behind me, blocking me from the view of the onlookers.
“Show me,” Alden says.
Gabriel brings my hand forward, shoves up my sleeve, and rolls my wrist upward, displaying the mark.
I stiffen, my pretense shattering around me like broken pottery.
No, hide your fire!
Hide it.
Hide it now.
Down, down, down I shove it until I no longer want to yank my hand away.
Alden smiles at me, and what’s left of my heart withers as he speaks.“Welcome to Astarobane, Sol.”
Music stabs my ears, and goblets clink against the tables. I force bites between my stiff lips and will this night to be over. Meeting Alden and having my mark displayed like a butcher showing off its goods left my pretense at its shattering point. Eating with the Bloodstone people yanks me over hot coals.
Gabriel sits to my right. Luc to my left. The Carnelian sits on the other side of Gabriel.
Hero eats in silence and ignores the stares cast his way. The people here in Astarobane act as if they have never seen a Carnelian before.
As I take small bites of my food, I slide my attention over the room, searching for Kassandra. After three thorough passes, I don’t find her. After my fourth pass, I realize not a single person in attendance has a red circle on their surcoat. Well, other than those serving the people gathered here. Every single one of those women and men wears a surcoat with that bold red circle.
One of the men sitting at the tables stands out from the rest. The way he picks up his goblet with his left hand and drinks, and the way the torchlight glistens off his blond hair.
Malachi!
I haven’t seen him in four summers, not since I left our village. From the distance between us, I can’t make out his eyes. I remember exactly what they look like, though. They’re the same color gray as the sky before it storms.
As Alden eats, he steals glances at Gabriel and me. My stomach twists as I continue to force bites and resist the overwhelming desire to move away from Gabriel. He’s too close. The way his thighs touch mine. The way our arms brush with each bite I take.
I raise my goblet to my lips and welcome the warmth from the wine. After a second, longer drink, I look up to find Alden’s watchful gaze on me again.
“Gabriel.” He leans forward, dragging the warrior’s attention to him. “Show me your dedication to your wife.”
A frown wrenches at Gabriel’s mouth as he lowers his knife to his plate and straightens. “How should I do that?”
“Kiss her, so we can see how much you esteem her.”
My heart falls out of my chest. Well, it should after such shocking words.
Kiss Gabriel in front of all these people.Kisshim?
Clouds swirl in Gabriel’s eyes as he jerks them to me. I offer a weak smile. It’s impossible to give anything more.
“Here?” Gabriel asks, his tone brusque.
