“Such an exquisite gift deserves an equal symbol of friendship. I shall prepare one for you to convey to your esteemed queen before you leave.” My father sets the figurine aside. “I look forward to learning more about you and your people over dinner this evening, Tovian of the Ansi. In the meantime, I must beg your pardon and speak privately with my daughter.”
“He can stay, Father.”
My papa turns to me with steel in his gaze. “No. He cannot.”
Anger strikes within me like a struck match. That’smythrone he sits upon. He may technically be in charge at River Bend, but I’m a grown woman and he treats me like a child whining for sweets.
“Tovian. Stays.”
My boyfriend’s palm lands on the small of my back. Soothing. A warning.
“Your Majesty, I shall leave you and Princess Raina to catch up.”
I glare at him. Tovian squeezes my upper arm and leaves.
Lost that battle, I muse ruefully.
“I see why you’ve been so distracted. He seems like a charming young man.”
“He is. Skilled with a spear and a bow, too. Tovian has saved my life on several occasions this summer.”
“Occasions that should never have come to pass, Raina.” A sigh gusts out of him. “You understand that no matter how appealing he is, you cannot entertain a serious relationship with an outsider.”
“Is that why you had him placed as far away from my rooms as possible?”
Another sigh.
“I’m twenty-two years old, Father. No one will care if he stays in my rooms.”
My father’s face scrunches into a scowl.
“Not as long as it’s my bottom warming this throne, Raina. The minute you’re willing to stop gallivanting around the countryside playing at being a warrior, and take up the scepter and crown that which rightfully belong to you, you can make all the housing decisions you wish. Until then, you will follow my directives.”
I study the veined marble floor.
“At least put him in the room adjoining mine.”
“No. It is an insult to give a royal prince a servant’s lodgings. We need the Ansi’s help and cannot afford to alienate them.”
“We have it. Thanks to me.”
Sort of. Begrudgingly. Thanks to Tovian, actually.
“I know you understand protocol, Raina.” Wearily, he adds, “I should never have let Lorcan train you to fight. Princesses are meant to lead, to direct the troops and allocate supplies. Not engage in the bloody business of warfare. Speaking of whom, do you have news of the royal knight?”
I can’t believe I forgot.
“He’s awake and doing well with his recovery. I spoke with him yesterday.”
Unease knots my insides. When I last spoke with Lorcan, physically, he was making great progress. Incredible progress, all things considered. Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that the boy I’d grown up with was gone. He returned to us as someone different. Harder. Angrier.
“And Zosia?”
“I know she’s in that castle.”
“
[HOOKY ENDING - Dinner - assessment of the national vibes]
