Evan nodded as a giggle came out unbidden. “I’ve never seen Adra’s face light up like that before. I have to know who that was.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want you to know,” Judas said. “Maybe its some poor seaweed farmer who doesn’t meet her criteria.”
Evan smacked his arm playfully. “Stop. We both know it can’t be. Adra is very much like my mother in that respect. She believes in the caste system and thinks everyone should know their place.”
“I see,” Judas said, frowning.
“I don’t agree with it,” Evan added quickly. “I just can’t do anything about it until I’m queen.”
“What will you do about it once you’re queen?” Judas asked.
Evan pursed her lips for a moment before saying, “I don’t think I’ll be able to end the castes right away, but I do think I can make changes. I don’t want to restrict people to only be able to perform certain jobs based on their station. And I think people should be free to marry who they love.”
“Those are big changes, princess.”
“You’re supposed to be calling me Evan, since we’re friends.”
“Right, sorry,” Judas said with a smile. “Please continue, Evannia.”
She shook her head. “Please, just Evan. And yes, those are big changes, but don’t you think it’s time we made them? We’ve been living with this system our entire recorded history. It seems so outdated.”
“Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. But there will be opposition.”
“I know,” she sighed. “But hopefully by that point I’ll also have plenty of friends supporting me.”
“I’m sure you will, Evan.”
“For now though, I’m going to spy on Adra. You coming?”
“I think I’m going to stay out of this one,” he said. “Even seaweed farmers deserve some privacy when they’re with their lady.”
Evan laughed. “I can’t help my curiosity.”
“When you finish, come find me. I have some important things to talk to you about.”
Evan felt urgency suddenly wash over his emotions. “Is everything okay?”
Judas shot her a boyish grin and said, “Of course, Princess. I just want to tell you about your sister, and maybe discuss some other things happening around Triton.”
Evan nodded, but inside she soured. Whenever people wanted to talk about “things happening around Triton” it meant they wanted to use Evan to get to the Queen. She had hoped Judas was different.
She turned away, pushing through the crowd to the other side of the room. Halfway across she was stopped when a hand found her shoulder.
“My lady.”
Evan spun to find Prince Hadrian. He wore a white tux with yellow and gray accents. A few feet away, Phemie’s little sister eyed them. She wore yellow, the perfect match to the young prince.
Evan curtsied. “Good evening, my Prince.”
Hadrian smiled, his cheeks flushing slightly. “I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the family.”
“Excuse me?”
“My brother said we’d soon have a Triton in the family.”
Evan’s brow lifted, confusion clear on her face. Hadrian covered his mouth and spoke through his fingers. “You didn’t know? I thought you’d spoken about it. I thought everything was arranged—”
“It’s fine,” Evan said, pressing her lips into a smile. “I knew it had been discussed, but I didn’t realize a decision was made.”
Hadrian bit his lip. “Please don’t tell Calix I told you. He’ll be so mad.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
Hadrian rubbed a head through his hair and gave her a shy smile. Evan found herself smiling in return, wishing Hadrian were the older of the two brothers. He was charming without trying, sweet, and could teach Calix a thing or two about talking to women.
Evan waved at Seraphinza. “Go back to your lady, Prince Hadrian. She can barely tolerate your absence.”
A grin bloomed across his face as he turned to the Glaucan princess. He hastily bowed to Evan and returned to his date.
Evan took a deep breath, releasing it slowly to calm her nerves. She moved to the side of the room and slipped through the same side door she’d seen Adra use. The hallway was empty, but she could hear whispers coming from around the corner. She tiptoed towards the corner and peered around, shocked to see Adra in the midst of a passionate kiss.
Calix.
Evan gasped. She ducked back around the corner, her hand covering her mouth though she knew it was too late. She slipped into a nearby doorway and counted the seconds as she waited to see if anyone came for her. When no one did, she sighed with relief. She crept back to the edge of the hallway, straining to hear their muffled conversation.
“I understand,” Adra said. “It doesn’t mean that I like it.”
“I know, my dear. But I don’t have a choice in the matter. You know I would marry you if I were able to decide on my own.”
Adra nodded. “It isn’t fair. You’re allowed to marry my cousin, but not me.”
“But that doesn’t change my feelings for you,” he said.
Evan had heard enough. She returned to the ballroom, her mind racing. Her cousin was in love with Calix! No wonder he behaved as he did—he wanted to make sure Evan had no interest in him. But why couldn’t he marry Adra? She was fourth in line for the Triton throne. Surely that was a suitable match, and could still benefit both kingdoms.
When she saw them re-enter the ballroom, she immediately bounded towards them, giddy with the excitement of what she had discovered. They both looked shocked that she’d caught them coming back in together, but she ignored their expressions and asked Calix to join her for a walk. He agreed, offering his arm and escorting Evan to where he’d just been with Adra.
He asked, “Has your stay been pleasant?”
“It has,” Evan replied with a smile. “A bit rocky at first, but things are looking up.”
“Good. My family and I are delighted you are here and are hoping to have a stronger relationship with your kingdom before you leave.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Evan said.
“Oh?” he asked, a smile creeping onto his face. He reached towards her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Honestly, Evannia, I expected some of the girls to work for it, but I didn’t think you were interested. I’m glad I was mistaken.”
“What?” she asked, confused.
“We’ll need to finish the ball, but we can make arrangements for after. Do you know where my room is?”
Evan grimaced. “Calix, gross. I overheard you with Adra. I’m trying to tell you I support your relationship with her and will honor a trade deal if you pledge to my cousin.”
“Don’t confuse things, Princess,” Calix said, stepping in front of her and forcing her back against the wall. He traced his finger down the side of her face, down her neck, and stopped just above her breasts. He pulled at the fabric of her dress and peered inside.
Evan smacked his hand away. “But you told her—”
“I told her what she wanted to hear,” he said with a shrug. “Your cousin is a good lay, and I’d hate to lose that. But I’m sure you’ll be fine too after I teach you what I like.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“Don’t play high and mighty with me, Evannia. I know all about that guard of yours. The difference is I’m honest about my pleasures while you’re still hiding yours.”
All he had been hiding was now washing over her and she could barely contain her revulsion. She turned her face away, unable to look at him. “She has no idea what kind of person you are.”
Calix laughed. “Adra knows exactly who I am. She doesn’t like it, but she accepts the arrangement we’ve worked out.”
“Which is?”
“I’ll marry who I have to, I’ll sleep with who I want to. Right now, she’s the one I’m enjoying.”
“Right now?”
“I remember her mother, Princess. Its likely
Addy won’t age well. Luckily for me, there are plenty of women willing to do just about anything for their king. And I’m betting you’ll do anything for your kingdom.” He whispered, “I’ve got a few things in mind.”
He pushed against her, pinning her to the wall. He was stronger than her, but she kicked her knee forward, connecting with his groin. Calix doubled over, a low groan emanating from his throat.
Evan stepped away from him, asking, “Why are you like this?”
Calix pushed himself up and said, “Come on Princess, we both know what’s going to happen. We have a duty to our kingdoms. You want what’s best for the Tritons. I want what’s best for the Proteans. A marriage pact would unite our kingdoms and restore the old houses to their former glory.”
“That sounds so rehearsed.”
Calix smiled. “I’m glad you noticed. I spent a lot of time preparing that speech. Your friend Phemie was eating from the palm of my hand when I said it to her. But since there are so few Glaucans left, I guess her house does have more to lose.”
“And you’ll use that against them?”
He shrugged. “I gave her a go last night, a courtesy for her kingdom, but I wasn’t impressed.”
Evan closed her eyes, unable to bear his words. No one deserved to be spoken of in such a way.
“Besides, why would I settle for a Glaucan when the Triton heir is here to woo me.” He leaned his face to hers, but she pushed it away, scratching his cheek in the process.
Calix ran his finger along the scratch, staring down at the tiny drop of blood he pulled away. He looked at her, his eyes hard. “You’re a feisty bitch.” With a smile he added, “It will be so much fun to break you in.”
He turned and left without another word. Evan collapsed against the wall, her body shaking. She heard footsteps coming down the hall and feared he was returning, but her panic held her in place.
When the man who rounded the corner was not Prince Calix, Evan let out a sigh of relief. He stepped towards her and said, “Forgive my intrusion, Princess. I saw you leave with the prince, and when you did not return with him, I wished to make sure you were okay.”
She sneered at him. “Are you part of his cleanup crew, taking care of the girls he molests?”
He moved nearer and Evan could feel anger boiling under his skin. His teeth were clenched as he asked, “Has he harmed you?”
She looked at him, her mind focusing on him rather than lingering on the feelings Calix left behind. He was tall, with broad shoulders and thick arms tight against the fabric of his navy suit. He stared down from his black mask, danger dancing in strange, gray eyes.
“No,” she croaked, finding the words. “He didn’t hurt me.”
She saw the muscles in his arm relax as he took a deep breath. “Thank Poseidon for that. I’d hate to ruin his Thrice Day by knocking out his teeth.”
Evan laughed, surprised by the open threat. “You could be jailed for those words.”
“Are you going to report me?” he asked, one brow raised.
She shook her head. “Not to protect that monster.”
He nodded, his lips curling into a half-smile. “It seems we are in agreement.” Turning back towards the ballroom he held out his arm and asked, “May I have the privilege of escorting you back?”
Evan took a steadying breath and said, “Yes, thank you.”
They entered as Prince Calix was leading Princess Phemie around the room in a standard waltz. Everyone had paused their dancing to give the prince room, a customary action among all Mer kingdoms.
At the sight of Calix, she clutched the stranger’s arm tighter. He leaned in and whispered, “Come, let us dance.”
“The prince has the floor,” Evan said.
The man smiled slyly. “So?”
“It’s forbidden.”
“Do you mindlessly follow tradition for tradition’s sake?” he asked. “You are a daughter of Poseidon. Where is your spirit?”
Evan set her teeth, inflamed by the stranger’s words and her encounter with the prince. She straightened her back and took hands with the man, pulling him to the floor. He quickly took the lead, twirling her through intricate steps she had never seen before. These new steps had none of the rigidity of the formal dances she knew, but still felt sophisticated in a way dancing had never felt before.
Evan was caught up in the movement, and when the stranger finally stopped spinning her and at last she took her eyes off him, the whole room was watching.
She looked up into the stranger’s eyes and felt herself smiling, as if all her troubles had melted away in one dance. He returned her smile, then out of nowhere, he kissed her.
It was just a quick brush of his lips onto hers, but she felt more passion, more intensity behind that kiss than any she had shared with Rafe.
As the stranger pulled away, he said, “They’re going to chase me now. But Princess, I must say, you were worth it.”
Nine
With a quick wink, the stranger was off. He pushed through the crowd as fast as he could, but the guards were closing in. Evan watched him, her breath caught in her chest as she whispered prayers to Poseidon for his escape.
The guards were nearly upon him. His head swiveled back and forth between them before he seemed to make a decision. He vaulted on top of a table, made two wide steps, and then leapt to another. From there he bounded to a third that led him to the edge of the dining room. As he reached the door, he turned back and flashed a quick smile at Evan before disappearing from view.
Sound seemed to engulf her all at once as her thoughts returned to the room and the frantic nobles throughout. They were pointing at her, whispering, but she didn’t care. She lifted her head high as she turned to face the boots she heard approaching from behind.
Calix’s face was violently red, almost purple, erasing the sophisticated mask he worked so hard to display. Though his features were distorted with rage, Evan found that she was smiling at him. The fear she’d had was gone.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he growled.
“Dancing,” she said.
“I will not tolerate such disrespect—”
Evan shrugged, and the gesture cut him off, enraging him further.
King Basim now stood at Calix’s side. He was handsome and imposing in stature, but Evan wasn’t impressed. She’d seen the true power residing in the queen, she’d felt true freedom in the arms of the stranger, and now she simply smiled at the two men playing a game neither understood.
“Who was that man?” the king asked.
“I don’t know,” Evan said, raising her fingers to her lips. “But I do hope to find out.”
Calix grabbed her arm. “This is serious.”
“Let her go, son,” Basim said, his tone cool despite the redness creeping up his neck. He waved a guard to him and whispered instructions, pointing at Evan. The king turned to the assembly and said, “My dear friends, the beloved Triton Princess was accosted by that intruder. For her safety we are escorting her to her chamber. I’d prefer everyone else to remain in the ballroom while my guards search the palace.”
The Protean guard pulled Evan out into the hallway. He marched her to the nearest Triton guard and said, “Take her to her room and lock the door. She is to remain under guard until the king sends for her.”
The guard nodded, grabbed her arm, and began walking down the hall. She was dazed, she knew, but this was hardly the time to be caught up in a kiss. She took a breath to regain her composure, then turned to face her guard. As their eyes met, he released her arm.
Where once she would’ve melted under his smoldering gaze, now his eyes held icy daggers that pierced her with each glance. All the warmth that was once between them was gone.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Working,” Rafe said. He turned and started down the hallway, forcing Evan to quicken her step to keep up.
“Of course,” Evan replied, “you’re always working.”
“Some of us h
ave to, Princess. I don’t get a throne on my birthday, like some people.”
She huffed. “Where is Declan? He was scheduled to meet me after the ball.”
“He would’ve, had you not been sent away early. Too much bubbly?”
His words bit into her. He hadn’t witnessed what she’d been through, the tortuous encounter with Calix. When she’d needed him most, he wasn’t there; it was a stranger who had rescued her with a dance riddled with magic.
“Is there someone else who can escort me? Anyone else will do.”
“Don’t worry, you won’t have to deal with me much longer. As soon as we get home, I’m going to request a transfer.”
“Don’t do me any favors,” Evan said, rolling her eyes.
Rafe stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. “I’m not doing it for you.”
She stared at him for a moment, her eyes bouncing back and forth between the colored flecks in his eyes that seemed to mesmerize her.
She whispered, “I have to move on.”
“Me, too,” he said.
“Besides, before last night you said I don’t mean anything to you,” her words were barely audible. “But then you said you loved me, because you wanted to take me to bed.”
“Is that what you think?” he asked, hurt clear on his face. “I said I love you because you deserve the truth. I’m not a fool, Ev; I know we can’t be together. But just because you’ll be okay without me doesn’t mean I’ll be fine without you.”
He took a step closer to her. Evan could feel the warmth of his body through the thin fabric of her dress. He reached up to move a piece of hair that had come loose and fallen against her face. Evan winced, her mind suddenly thrown back to the hallway with Calix.
“Now you wince at my touch?” he asked, the pain in his voice unmistakable.
“Rafe!” They both jumped, turning to see Declan marching towards them. He barked, “Go find Lady Adra and take her back to her room.”
Rafe turned without a word. Declan’s accusing gaze made Evan want to shrink away.
“I’m sorry, Declan,” she whispered.
He took a deep breath, then extended his arm for her to take. “I don’t want your apologies, Princess. I want your safety. And I want Rafe to have a good life. This path doesn’t provide that for either of you.”
Black Sea Bright Song Page 8