by Kiera Cass
“King Quinten,” Jameson said loudly, opening his arms. “I am so pleased you and your family have made your way to Coroa in safety. The Lady Hollis and I welcome you as my father did, as a fellow sovereign, placed by the gods, and as a dear friend.”
Several quiet things happened at once. King Quinten rolled his eyes at the mention of the gods, Prince Hadrian lifted a shaky hand to wipe sweat from his upper lip, and I sighed in relief because we’d all been introduced.
Jameson descended from the dais, which had been outfitted with enough seats for our guests, and went to greet King Quinten. He shook his fellow sovereign’s hand with both of his own, causing the room to burst into rapturous applause. My eyes kept flickering back to Valentina. She stood so tall, but I couldn’t tell what was keeping her upright. Not happiness, it seemed, nor pride. . . . She was unreadable.
Jameson invited King Quinten, Valentina, and Hadrian to come and sit with us, and those in Quinten’s party began to mingle with those of Jameson’s court. The visit had officially begun.
I turned to Valentina, who’d been placed next to me, hoping to make her feel comfortable.
“Your Majesty, Isolte is such a large country. Whereabout were you born?” I asked.
Her returning look was smug. “You don’t speak first. I speak first.”
I was taken aback. “My apologies. I assumed that the king’s introduction was sufficient.”
“It was not.”
“Oh.” I paused. I was quite certain I had this right. “Well, what about now? As you’ve already spoken to me?”
She rolled her eyes. “I suppose. What is it you asked? Where I was from?”
“Yes,” I replied, resurrecting the smile on my face.
She inspected the many rings on her hands. “If I told you, would you even recognize the name?”
“Well . . .”
“I doubt it. From what I hear, you’ve lived your whole life between your family’s manor and Keresken Castle,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“Between the two, I’ve had all I could want in the world,” I admitted. “Perhaps I could show you some of the architecture later? Some of the stonework on the—”
“No,” she answered quickly, cutting me off and placing her hand again on her stomach. “It is very important that I have my rest.”
She lay back in her seat, looking bored, and I felt sure that I was failing Jameson. I sighed, looking away. I’d spent the better part of the last twenty-four hours worrying that I wouldn’t be able to speak to Valentina at all, and now I’d be fine if I never heard her speak again.
I looked out among the guests, searching for my parents; they would know how to restart the conversation. Delia Grace might have an idea, too. . . . But I saw no one I recognized save for the Eastoffes.
I left my place to go ask for their help, catching them as they were warmly greeting another family.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Lord Eastoffe was saying, gripping an older gentleman tightly. “I’m glad we get to tell you about how we’re settling in face-to-face; a letter never quite catches everything.”
The gentleman and his wife stood with a young man who was clearly their son, based on his nose and cheekbones. Though the couple was all smiles at being reunited with their friends, their son looked as if he’d rather be mucking out a stall.
“Scarlet,” I whispered.
She turned. “Lady Hollis, you look radiant!” She smiled brightly, an almost sisterly warmth on her face.
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a little more at ease with her. “Listen, I need your help. Please tell me you’ve thought of something for me to say to the queen. She clearly has no interest in speaking with me.”
Scarlet sighed. “She’s like that with everyone—it’s probably why she only has one lady. But I did remember this morning that I’ve heard she’s interested in food. If there’s a chance to show her a new dish, she’ll probably enjoy that. Here.” She grabbed my arm, pulling me forward. “Uncle Reid, Aunt Jovana? This is the Lady Hollis. She is to be queen.” Scarlet beamed with pride, and I placed a hand on hers.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady,” Scarlet’s aunt said. “News of your upcoming betrothal has reached Isolte. People have spoken frequently of your beauty, but they have not done you justice.”
I felt my heart beat a little faster as I tried to take it all in. It was surreal to know that people in other countries had heard about me, knew my name.
“You are too kind,” I answered, hoping to come across steadier than I felt.
“These are the Northcotts,” Silas explained. “Our aunt and uncle, and this is our cousin Etan.”
I looked at the young man, who was content to glower at me.
“Very nice to meet you,” I said.
“Yes,” he replied curtly.
Well, he was about as abrasive as Valentina. He only let a tiny smile come to his face when Saul came and wrapped his arms around him. Saul’s head barely came up to his chest, and Etan scratched his hands playfully through his cousin’s hair. After that moment, he was back to being as impassive as a suit of armor.
“We hear there is to be a joust,” Lord Northcott said. “I hope I will see one of you out there.” He pointed between Sullivan and Silas.
Sullivan merely ducked his head, and Silas spoke for them both. “We might be on the sidelines this time, but I’m very excited to watch. This is the first time we’ve been here for something this festive; I don’t know if things are done differently in Coroa. I’ve never seen.”
He looked to me for confirmation. “I doubt it,” I said, my tone teasing. “Seeing as so much in Isolte is, well, let’s say imported from Coroa, I’m sure it will all be quite familiar.”
Most of them allowed that, chuckling at the observation. But not Etan.
“Isolte is just as sovereign as Coroa. Our traditions just as valuable, our people just as sacred.”
“Absolutely. The privilege of knowing your cousins has taught me so much already about the world beyond Coroa,” I said, smiling at Scarlet. “I hope to visit Isolte myself one day.”
“I hope so, too,” Etan spat, his tone sarcastic. “I’m sure you’ll be greeted with fanfare at the border.”
“Etan,” his father snapped. There was a shuffling of feet and many ducked heads, but the comment went above me.
“I don’t understand, sir.”
Etan looked at me as if I were a child. “No. Of course you don’t. Why would you?”
“Etan,” his mother whispered urgently.
“How have I offended you?” I asked, genuinely confused how both he and Valentina were so quick to find fault with me.
He smirked. “You? You cannot offend anyone.” He motioned to my headpiece, which was still making light dance every time I took a step. “You are an ornament.”
I inhaled sharply, hating that I could feel my skin turning red.
“Excuse me?”
He motioned up to the dais where Queen Valentina was sitting beside my empty seat. “What do you see up there?”
“A queen,” I replied firmly.
Etan shook his head. “That is an empty vessel, chosen to be something nice to look at.”
“Etan, that’s enough,” Silas growled. But his cousin would not be deterred.
“If you don’t know what’s happening along your own border, what’s happening to your own people, I can only conclude that you, my lady, are exactly the same: decoration for your king.”
I swallowed, wishing I were as cold and clever as Delia Grace. She would have torn this boy to shreds. But part of me sensed that, on some level, he was right. If I was soon to be queen, I had to look at the line of women I was going to be added to.
I was no soldier. I was no cartographer. I wasn’t book smart or exceedingly kind or remarkable in any way that anyone had ever taken note of.
I was pretty. And there was nothing wrong with that, but on its own, that had very little value. Even I knew that.
> Still, I refused to be shamed for being the one thing I was capable of.
“Better an ornament from Coroa than a knave from Isolte,” I hissed, pulling my head up high. “Welcome to Coroa, Lord and Lady Northcott. So glad you could come.” With that, I turned on my heel and returned to my seat, which I hoped Etan noted was basically a throne. I drew the image of the sun rising over the river to mind, thinking of things that made me happy and calm.
I was not going to cry. Not here, not now. I wasn’t going to give anyone in this room—particularly someone from Isolte—reason to think that I was not poised and patient and good enough to be at the right hand of a king.
Fifteen
“PLEASE,” I BEGGED. “SHE’S TERRIBLE.”
Jameson chuckled as he walked around his private rooms, removing some of the heavier accessories he was wearing now that the opening of our visit had officially passed. “They’re all terrible,” he agreed.
“She thinks she’s so superior. I cannot spend an evening with her.” I crossed my arms, remembering her pinched face. “I’d rather eat in the stables.”
He laughed outright at that, the sound matching the roars of the crowds still gathered on the other side of the door. “As would I! But don’t you worry, my Hollis. This visit is a short one, and they’ll be gone soon enough.” He came close, wrapping his hands around my waist. “And we can get back to more important things.”
I smiled. “You are the most important thing in my world. So, if you insist I eat a meal with that wretched lady, I will.”
He put a hand under my chin, tilting my face up to his. “I will spare you. This time,” he added in a tone that was close to serious. “But unfortunately, I have to be at dinner tonight with Quinten to talk through a few deals and trades . . . things that would bore you. So go ahead. Spend the night with your ladies.”
I took the hand that was beneath my chin and held it up so I could kiss it. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
There was a glittering look of satisfaction in his eyes, and it was difficult to concentrate under the weight of his stare.
“You’d best get back,” he said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make an excuse for you tonight.”
“Tell her I suffocated under a pile of Isolten dresses,” I joked, and left with the sound of his laughter ringing in my ears.
Outside, Delia Grace and Nora waited anxiously. “Come, ladies, I’m not feeling well,” I said in mock solemnity. “I think it’s best I retire for now.”
Delia Grace caught on right away, and she fell into step behind me as I walked cautiously through the crowd. In a corner, I finally caught sight of my parents. My mother was looking down her nose as people came up to her, presumably to congratulate her and Father on their great success. Wouldn’t it be something to tell everyone I’d been chosen by the king by being the opposite of everything they’d tried to turn me into?
Even with all that had happened, they hardly spoke to me, save to correct me or attempt to make a decision on my behalf. Their distance only made it that much easier to defy them.
I looked over my shoulder at Nora. “Why don’t you gather a few other ladies to come by my room? It will be nice to have some more people in that space.”
“Of course, my lady,” she replied gleefully.
“I’ll see if we can get ahold of a musician or two. Make an afternoon of it,” I thought aloud. This plan was sounding better by the minute. I caught Nora before she moved too far. “And get ahold of Scarlet Eastoffe if you can. In fact, if the entirety of the Eastoffe family would like to escape the presence of their former king, tell them they are welcome in my apartments.”
She nodded and broke off to build us a small party. At least this day could take a slight turn for the better; I’d been saved from an evening in the company of Valentina, and now I got to dance instead.
Nora opened the door for Yoana and Cecily as I helped Delia Grace put the last of the chairs against the wall.
The main space in the greeting area was now cleared for dancing and talking, and I’d called up one of the court musicians so we could have music. After the madness of moving and the tension of meeting Valentina, this was going to be a treat.
“Thank you for inviting us.” Cecily came and greeted us with a little curtsy.
“Oh, you’re quite welcome. You remember Delia Grace, of course,” I said, gesturing over to her. Delia Grace stood with her head high, knowing that finally she was in a position no one could deny was exalted.
“Yes.” Beside her, Yoana swallowed. “Very nice to see you.”
“Delia Grace, dear, won’t you show them to the refreshments?”
She nodded, not needing to speak to anyone she didn’t want to at the moment, and I felt sure she was enjoying the knowledge that if anyone so much as breathed at her wrong, I’d eject them from the room.
Another knock came, and Nora opened it again.
“Scarlet!” I called. “So glad you could make it.”
I was pleased to see her parents and Saul walk in behind her, but I was surprised to note that the Northcotts had joined her as well. And then, as if he was determined to be seen as an afterthought, Silas Eastoffe walked in the door. And there went my heart, skipping as if being trapped in my chest was just too far away for comfort.
I cleared my throat, turning to greet my guests.
Lord Eastoffe came over, bowing before me. “Thank you for letting us come along. It was more . . . unnerving than any of us thought it would be to see King Quinten again.”
I tilted my head in sympathy. “You may all hide here as long as you like. The apartment extends for days, and we have plenty of food—we’ll make a camp,” I joked. “Please make yourselves comfortable.”
Delia Grace was already moving to the music, and I joined her, doing a dance that we’d choreographed ourselves last year.
“That’s very pretty,” Nora commented as Delia Grace and I touched wrists and walked around one another.
“Thank you,” Delia Grace answered. “We spent weeks on it.”
“You should try your hand at choreographing the one for Crowning Day,” Nora added.
Delia Grace seemed almost stunned by the kind suggestion. “If Lady Hollis wishes it. Thank you.”
When the dance ended and a new song played, I watched as Nora started up a dance of her own. Honestly, if she and Delia Grace choreographed our dance, it would probably be one of the best I’d ever done.
More than once, I got distracted by a pair of blue eyes watching contentedly from a chair against the wall. I looked over at Silas, speaking as I swayed to the music.
“Do you dance, sir?”
He sat up a little straighter. “On occasion. But of everyone in the family, Etan is the best,” he said, nodding to his cousin across the room. I searched and found him frowning as he studied the tapestries, hands behind his back, looking as if he were very much here against his will.
“You must be joking.”
Silas chuckled. “Not at all.”
“Well, please don’t be offended if I don’t extend him an invitation.”
He made a face. “In his current mood, I don’t think he’d accept if you did.”
I sighed, believing that. “Would you?”
He swallowed and looked at the floor. “I would . . . though perhaps not today.” When his face came back up to me, I noted the hint of a blush on his cheeks, and I couldn’t blame him for not wanting to dance in front of such an intimate gathering.
“Lady Hollis, come and see,” Cecily called, and I went quietly across the room, which thankfully gave me time to clamp down the growing smile on my face. What was it about Silas Eastoffe that turned the air in the room into something sweeter? He made everything feel . . . easy. Words came out clearer, thoughts became less foggy. I hadn’t realized people could do that, could make everything sharper.
The room separated into relaxed conversations and fits of giggling, leaving me in a blissfully happy mood. And when I somehow ended up having l
ittle Saul as a dance partner, it seemed perfectly natural. I spun him around to much applause, and it was nice to see his tears from yesterday replaced with laughter. When the song ended, I bent down and kissed Saul on the cheek. “Thank you, sir. You’re a fine dancer.”
The violinist played on in the background as everyone spoke, and as we all sat and conversed, the new apartments felt like they could eventually be a comfortable place. There was a promise of it.
“The king must care for you very much,” Silas said, coming to stand next to me. “These rooms are amazing. They remind me of our rooms back at Chetwin Palace. But the Coroan architecture is so different. I think the stones alone change everything.”
“How so?” I asked. It was the same stone I’d known all my life.
“In Isolte, the buildings are tinted slightly green or blue. It’s a mineral in the stones by the northern coast, and they’re very pretty, but in the winter especially, it makes thing seem dark. These stones of yours have such warm colors in them. So everything looks brighter, welcoming. And when you combine that with the impressive scope of the apartments, it’s quite striking.”
I nodded, many feelings playing through my heart. “It’s easily the most beautiful place I’ve ever rested my head, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t I miss the simplicity of my old room, not to mention knowing what was going to happen most days.”
I swallowed, once again wondering if I’d said too much but still feeling there was no one I’d rather share too much with.
He smiled softly. “There’s a beauty in simplicity, isn’t there?” He looked around the room again. “At one point in my life, I might have chosen the new clothes, the finer food, all the trappings of court. But I can say that, in losing them, I’ve learned that nothing in this world can replace loyalty, patience, and genuine affection.”
I sighed. “I think I might be forced to agree with you. The most valuable thing you can own is the assurance of your place in someone’s heart. It is far better than any necklace, far better than any apartment.”
We shared a quiet look.