by Sera Trevor
Jasen gave him a vague nod. When he had left, Jasen faced Bertio with reluctance. He was even more dashing than he was when they had first met. His wavy brown hair was cut roguishly short, and brown eyes were as pretty as Jasen remembered. “Hello, Bertio. Or Lord Cheny now, I suppose.”
“Yes, but I will always be Bertio to you, I hope.” He presented his hand to Jasen. “Shall we?”
Jasen took it. What else could he do?
Once they reached the dance floor, Jasen felt a surge of gratitude for all of the lessons he had so hated. His body moved with the music almost automatically. It was too bad the conversation was not as easy. They danced in silence for a minute or so before Bertio broke the silence. “‘Oh Bertio, how good it is to see you!’ ” he said in a fairly good imitation of Jasen’s voice. “Good to see you too, Jasen,” he continued, switching back to his own voice. “It’s been ages. Did you get those letters I sent you? ‘Oh yes, I’m so sorry for not replying, but you know how it is in hog breeding season.’” He grinned. “You can jump in any time. Having to do both ends of the conversation is rather tiring.
Jasen couldn’t help but smile. Bertio was pompous, but he could also be fun. “Sorry. I’m just surprised to see you.”
“And I you. What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Did your brother die?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Jasen cringed. That wasn’t a very sensitive way to put it.
But Bertio just laughed. “To the point, as usual. No, he’s alive.” There was something in his tone of voice that made Jasen think he wasn’t altogether pleased with that fact.
“Then how are you Lord Cheny?”
The barest hint of a grimace passed over Bertio’s face. “It’s a long story. And how are you a consort?”
“Also a long story. You go first.”
Bertio sighed. “My brother was called by a dragon.”
Jasen cocked his head. “What do you mean? Surely he hasn’t abandoned his wife to become a draed?”
“No, nothing like that. She was called too, it seems.”
“Called to do what?”
“To renounce his title, give away all his money, and live in communion with nature. It has something to do with how there is a great reckoning coming, and the nobles must be prepared to be judged for their indulgent way, and so on.” Bertio rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe a word of it. I think he was simply tired of trying to live up to Mother’s standards, but if she was so concerned about keeping up appearances, then she shouldn’t have let Father pass along the title. Now it’s up to me, which is why I’m here to find a consort.”
Jasen frowned. If his brother had given away all their money, how could Bertio afford to be here? He decided it would be rude to ask, so he said nothing.
“And now it’s your turn. I thought the vetting process for consorts was rather extensive, and we both know you aren’t exactly qualified.”
Bertio’s voice had been low, but Jasen couldn’t help but look around and see if anyone had heard him.
Bertio leaned in close to his ear. “Don’t look so nervous,” he said in an amused whisper. “I can be discreet, if you remember.”
Jasen leaned away. He didn’t want think about the things that they’d done together which required the discretion in the first place. “If you must know, my father won a place for me in a bet.”
Bertio laughed. “That seems about right. It seems he hasn’t changed.”
“Unfortunately, no.”
The song ended. “It was nice catching up,” Jasen said after they had bowed to one another. He turned to leave, but Bertio caught him by the hand.
“Surely you aren’t so eager to dance with the Duke of Symes?” he said. “Dance with me again. You owe it to me after you ignored all my letters.”
“You didn’t send that many,” Jasen said with a scowl. “And I did reply.”
“Only once.”
Jasen considered him. He had thought that the way they had drifted apart had been mutual, but had he been wrong? “All right,” Jasen conceded. “One more dance.”
The music started up again. “So,” Bertio began, “I hear that you might be our next king consort.”
Jasen wasn’t sure what to say. “You would have to ask the king. It’s his decision.”
“But does it seem to be the direction things are headed?”
“I really can’t say.”
“Can’t, or won’t?”
“Both. Gossip is already spreading like wildfire. I don’t want to add more fuel to it.”
“Oh, come on. You can tell me. We are old friends, after all.” He had a strange glint in his eye that Jasen didn’t like.
“Really, Bertio, I can’t. I’m sorry.”
The glint in his eye hardened. “I’m discreet, remember? Just tell me.” His voice now had an edge to it.
The situation was making Jasen uncomfortable. He tried to pull away, but Bertio’s grip on his hand grew tighter. Jasen stopped dancing and yanked his hand away. “I said no.”
Bertio began to scowl, but twisted his face into a more neutral position. “My apologies. I was merely curious.” He reached his hand out again. “Shall we continue?”
“I don’t think so.” He bowed. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Jasen’s abrupt departure from the dance floor did garner some attention. Jasen tried to ignore it. He didn’t want to spend another moment with Bertio. He didn’t like the way that he looked at him—as if he wanted something.
The song ended. He could see the Duke of Symes ambling toward him. He pretended not to see him and headed for the refreshment table, only to be confronted with two more nobles who were both looking at him expectantly. He stopped where he was and searched the room for Risyda and found her still in the arms of that lady—they were both laughing. Jasen felt betrayed. She was supposed to hate this as much as he did!
Just when he thought he was cornered, a trumpet blasted, and the herald appeared on the stage. The music and the dancers came to a stop. The herald cleared his throat. “Presenting His Royal Highness and Lord of the Drae, King Rilvor!”
Everyone applauded as Rilvor took the stage. The musicians began to play again—this time, the national anthem of the Draelands. He was resplendent in his royal regalia—he wore a red cape so long that two footman had to carry the train. A crown decorated with golden dragons adorned his head. In his hand, he held a scepter.
Rilvor waited until the anthem was finished, smiling and waving at the guests. When the music ended, he held up a hand to quiet the applause as well. “Welcome, everyone,” he said. “It is always a pleasure to host this gathering—a time-honored tradition that has served to strengthen the ties between our realms by bringing noble families together. I am not one for long speeches, and I know you must be anxious to return to the hunt.” That last line got a few chuckles. “But I would like to leave you all with a word of advice. The bonds that are made here should not only be between families and kingdoms.” He scanned the crowd until he spotted Jasen. He smiled. “It should be between you and your spouse as well. Love is what truly unites us.”
Everyone noticed where the king was looking. Jasen tried to appear smaller, but that was impossible, what with the enormous shoes he was wearing.
Everyone applauded again and the musicians began to play. The footman removed Rilvor’s cape and he descended from the stage, making his way straight for Jasen. The crowd parted for him, and by the time he met Jasen, there was a large circle of suitors and consorts surrounding them, although at a respectable distance. Rilvor paid them no mind. He held out his hand.
“May I have this dance?”
Jasen took his hand. The two of them began to dance. Jasen could feel all of the eyes still on them, but somehow when he was in Rilvor’s arms, it didn’t seem to matter.
“I thought you were going to be too busy being the king tonight,” Jasen said.
“And I will be, but surely my subjects would not be so cruel as to deny
me one dance.” He leaned in. “And besides, I want to make my intentions very clear. I do not wish for anyone to waste time courting either of us.”
Jasen knew that the smile on his face must have been extremely goofy, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He wanted desperately to kiss him, but that really would be a scandal.
They glided around the dance floor. The other couples stopped gawking and began dancing as well. Not that Jasen was paying them much mind—it was impossible to think about anything other than the hand around his waist, and the look in Rilvor’s blue eyes as they gazed at each other, lost in the moment—
But something went amiss. Jasen stumbled. He wouldn’t think much of it—after all, his shoes really were uncomfortable—but then he stumbled again. Rilvor frowned at him. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” Jasen said. “I’m sorry, I seem to be a bit clumsy—” But his words were abruptly cut off when he was lurched out of Rilvor’s arms by some unseen force. He stumbled and spun across the room until he crashed into the refreshment table, sending everything scattering, including the punch bowl, which upended onto his head and soaked him.
The dancers came to a halt. There were several gasps, and even a few chuckles.
Rilvor raced to his side and dropped to his knees beside Jasen. “What happened? Are you all right?”
“I don’t know,” Jasen said. “I-I’m just clumsy, I suppose…” Everyone was watching them. Jasen felt a rush of shame so strong that it brought tears to his eyes. Who could possibly think that he was a suitable match for the king now?
But there was no embarrassment in Rilvor’s expression—only concern. “Are you hurt?” He ran a hand down to his leg, and stopped when he reached his foot. A look of anger crossed his face, so intense that it took Jasen aback. He abruptly removed Jasen’s shoes and flung them away as if they were poisonous vipers. He put his arms under Jasen’s knees and shoulders and lifted him off the ground.
The crowd, which had begun to hum with murmurs, grew louder as Rilvor made his way to the exit. Lady Isalei approached them, moving rather spritely for a woman her age, catching up with him just as he reached the door. “Your Majesty, if Lord Jasen has been injured, I can send for a healer—”
“I will see to him myself,” the king said tersely.
“Yes, Your Majesty, but the guests—”
“—can entertain themselves. They will probably be grateful for my absence, as they can gossip more freely.” His voice was thick with bitterness. Jasen stared at him in wonderment. He had never seen Rilvor this angry—in fact, he hadn’t been convinced that he was capable of it.
He could tell by Lady Isalei’s expression that she was just as surprised. She curtsied. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
The guards opened the door. Rilvor turned slightly so as not to bump Jasen’s head, and so Jasen got one last glimpse of the crowd. His gaze happened to land on Polina, whose face had gone as white as her dress.
Rilvor kept a brisk pace, his gaze fixed in front of him, his mouth set in a thin line.
“I’m not injured, you know,” Jasen said after awhile. “I can walk.”
“Not until I examine you,” he said.
“I know I’m on the smaller side, but surely I’m not that light. And if you throw out your back, where will that leave us?”
Rilvor’s grim expression softened a bit. Carefully, he set Jasen down. “You will let me know if you have any pain?”
“The only thing I hurt was my pride. I promise.”
“We cannot be sure of that.”
“Why?”
“Because your shoes were cursed.”
Chapter 10
As soon as Rilvor said the words, Jasen understood what had happened. It was what Polina had been doing in his room—he hadn’t thought that she took anything, but he had so many pairs of shoes that he hadn’t noticed they were gone. She must have taken them and sent them to someone to curse, and then sent them back to him under the guise that they had been taken to be cleaned. “Oh.”
Rilvor’s expression hardened again. “You do not look surprised.” He took Jasen’s hand. “Come. Let us discuss this in privacy.”
Rilvor led him to his chambers. He had Jasen sit down on the sofa as he ran his hands over his feet, concentrating. At last, he seemed satisfied. “I feel no more magic. The curse was not potent.”
“Well, that’s good news, although I think it would be impossible to make me even clumsier than I already am.”
Rilvor rose from the floor to join Jasen on the sofa. “Do not speak lightly of this. This was a serious attack on you.”
“Nothing that terrible happened. I was just embarrassed—something I would have probably done anyway.”
“And what if the caster had sent you down a flight of stairs? This was a threat on your life!” That frightening expression was back on his face. “And you will tell me now who dared to do this. You do know, do you not?”
“I do,” Jasen said quietly.
“Give me a name.”
“And then what will happen?”
“They will be tried and convicted.”
“And the punishment?” Jasen asked, his voice even quieter.
“Exile, if I am feeling generous.”
Jasen bit his lip. Polina was terrible, but the thought of her being put through all of that made him feel queasy. “I’m sure she didn’t mean to seriously injure me. She just wanted to embarrass me.”
“So it is a lady I will be searching for.”
“Let me talk to her. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
“This person is a friend?” Rilvor asked, his voice rising in both surprise and fury. “Is it that tall one who is always with you? She dares to betray you, and you would protect her?”
“No! Not her. Someone else. I caught her in my room the other night—she must have taken the shoes then. She’s petty and jealous, but I know she’s also desperate. You don’t know the kind of pressure the consorts are under. I don’t think she deserves to have her entire life destroyed over a lapse in judgment borne out of desperation. She isn’t a monster—she’s confused. She deserves our pity, not our rage.”
Rilvor looked as if he were going to argue, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath instead. When he opened them again, the fire had left them. He lifted Jasen’s hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Your heart is too pure for this den of vipers. Very well—but you must impress upon this young lady that it is only your mercy that is saving her from ruin. If something like this happens again, she will not be so lucky.”
Jasen grimaced. He could imagine how well that was going to go over. He was soon distracted from any unpleasant thoughts when Rilvor ran his fingers through Jasen’s hair before cupping his face in his hand. There was a different sort of fire in his eyes now—one that Jasen didn’t mind at all. Rilvor leaned in for a kiss, but stopped at the last moment. He put his head on Jasen’s shoulder instead.
“If I kiss you now, I will not want to stop,” he said.
Jasen was about to ask him what was wrong with that, but then he remembered he was supposed to be a virgin, which led his mind back to Bertio, which then made him think of the crowd at the ball, and by the time his mind had made it through all of that, the mood was thoroughly spoiled. “Do we have to go back?”
Rilvor kissed his forehead. “You do not. I believe I should, alas. I will call someone to escort you to your room.”
“I can find my own way.”
“It is not you I am worried about. How can I know that the person who cursed you will not seek to hide her guilt with another attack on you?”
“She won’t.”
“Humor me.”
Jasen sighed. “There’s a guard by the name of Larely. Would you send him?”
“As you wish.”
It wasn’t long after Rilvor left that there was a knock on the door. Jasen opened it to find Larely standing there. “What in the name of the Drae is going on?” he said before Jasen could even say hel
lo. “Are you all right? Why did the king throw your shoes?”
“Because they were cursed.”
“What?”
“Can it wait until we get back to my room? I just want to get into some comfortable clothes.”
When they got back to his room, they were surprised to find Risyda there, waiting outside his door. She pulled Jasen into a hug. “Thank goodness you’re all right. You should hear the rumors going around already.”
Jasen pulled back. “How did you get away?”
“Lady Isalei was too busy trying to restore order to notice me slip away.” She opened the door to Jasen’s room. “Let’s get inside.”
Once they were all in the room, Jasen told them the whole story. They were both quiet for a moment after he finished.
Risyda spoke first. “I’m going to kill her.”
“Please don’t.”
“Then you should have told him it was Polina, because if he’s not going to get the chance to officially put her on trial, then I’m afraid that you’ve left me no choice but to mete out my own justice.”
“She was your friend once,” Jasen said. “Don’t you have at least a little sympathy for her?”
“I used to, but this is beyond the pale.”
“Risyda’s right,” Larely said. “This was an attack. You should tell him who’s responsible.”
“I can’t know for sure,” Jasen said.
“I guarantee you I can get a confession out of her,” Risyda said. Jasen could see smoke coming out of her fingertips—he wondered if that was on purpose.
“Please,” he said. “Can we just sleep on it? I’m too exhausted to think straight. We can decide how to approach it tomorrow.”
Risyda took a deep breath. “All right. But you can’t just ignore this. She has to be held accountable. You don’t know her like I do. Getting away with it is only going to make her bolder.”
Jasen wasn’t sure if he believed that, but he didn’t feel like arguing anymore. Risyda pulled him in for another hug. “Poor Jasen. Get some rest.”
After she released him, Larely patted him on the arm. “We’ll get this sorted out.”