Page 12 of Wild Flame

“Who could be responsible?” she asked.

But I barely heard the question. Shock had frozen me in place.Nakki venom.The poison my order used caused those exact symptoms . . . and the single cut to administer it . . . But—it couldn’t be. Our order didn’t operate outside of Halmar. My mission was the exception. At least, that was what I had believed. Once again, doubt began to creep in. I had to be wrong. It had to be someone else.

“Uden was always one of the strongest advocates for stopping the war. One of your father’s more unpopular decisions,” Salim said to Malik, bringing me out of my stupor. “Perhaps someone in Baldor wanted—”

“Careful,” Prince Malik cautioned darkly. “We are no longer at war with Baldor, and I would remind you of where you are and who else presently sits at this table.” He glanced pointedly at the Baldorian delegation just out of earshot.

The territory leader flushed. “I merely meant . . . that is . . . I did not intend to imply—”

“We will speak no more of it,” the prince interrupted his response. “We have as yet found no evidence of who is involved, so there is no use speculating.”

Silence fell at our portion of the long table. I simply stared at my plate, my mind swirling with too many thoughts.

“Are we boring you, princess?” Prince Malik’s voice suddenly cut through the quiet.

I glanced up to find that he was staring at me, as was much of the table, though it still took several seconds for his words to even register in my jumbled thoughts.

I swallowed, trying and failing to keep the rising blush from my cheeks. I met the prince’s challenging stare, not a hint of my present turmoil in my voice as I answered, “No, Your Majesty. I simply have no stomach for such topics.”

If he only knew.

Suddenly feeling like I couldn’t sit there a moment longer, especially not with his eyes on me, I rose to my feet. Feeling flustered and hating it, I dipped into a perfect curtsy even my exacting mother would be proud of and turned to leave. As soon as my back was to the table, several gasps and disapproving murmurs sounded from behind me. Everyone in the banquet hall turned to stare, and I realized I had just committed another grievous blunder. Although, this time, it hadn’t been on purpose.

The etiquette for banquets and dinners in Zehvi was lax by Halmarish standards. Other than it being an honor to be asked to dine at the monarch’s table, people generally sat and interacted how they wished. One of the few rules was that no one left their table before its highest-ranking member, unless they asked permission. In this case, Prince Malik. I may be a princess, but we were in Zehvi, and he was a king in all but name.

And I had just insulted him.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and forced myself to turn back, very aware of all the stares on me. “My apologies, Your Majesty,” I stated clearly as I executed another curtsy. “I meant no offense.” I absolutely refused to meet Malik’s eyes as I said this, no matter how much of a coward that made me. “May I be excused?”

When he nodded, I bid them all a good evening and turned and fled the hall.

I had spent most of the previous night tossing and turning fitfully in my unfamiliar bed and the oppressive heat. Thoughts of all that had happened that day, including my reintroduction to Malik and my two gaffes, intentional and not, had plagued my mind and made it hard to relax.

My clothing clung to my sticky skin, and I eventually kicked off my sheets and removed my nightgown altogether to sleep in only my shift. It had felt odd to sleep with my scars exposed. I rarely ever had them uncovered, apart from when I bathed or when Hilde applied my weekly salve. And for good reason. I thought of Astrid’s reaction to them, but then pushed that memory aside as I rolled over to my stomach and tried to will myself to sleep.

It had taken a while, but eventually I had finally succumbed.

The effects from my lack of sleep still lingered the following morning as I sat in another stuffy, long-sleeved, impractical dress of pale blue. I was seated on a backless chair, or rather more of a stool, in front of a highly decorative—as I was finding most things in Ashar Palace to be—table.

Breakfast that morning consisted of honey yogurt and a medley of strange, colorful fruits that I had never seen before. Everything was delicious and served with a uniquely spiced tea that I was pleased to find I liked even more.

My breakfast table had been set across from my chamber’s open balcony doors, and I contemplated the lovely view of the extensive gardens outside.

Until the banquet tonight, at which my presence was required, I was free to spend my time as I wished. My mind contemplatedwhat I could do in this large palace. The idea of exploring the gardens and the rest of the palace held merit, but after yesterday’s blunders, the thought of seeing other people didn’t appeal.

I wondered if this massive place housed a library. Unbidden, I heard my mother’s voice in my head.As if these barbarians read.But I hoped there was one, because I could think of nothing better than getting lost in a book for hours.

Across the room, Hilde was critiquing Astrid on how to properly fold my clothing and hang my gowns when an unexpected knock sounded at the door.

One of my guards stepped inside and explained a woman was here to see me. “She introduced herself only as Shalla, my lady,” the guard said.

Not recognizing the name, I motioned for him to let her in as curiosity overcame me.

He opened the door, and a Zehvitian woman who was maybe a decade my senior stepped in and halted a few feet inside. She wore the colorful, yet more subdued styles of a palace servant, with her long dark hair twisted in a low bun at her nape. A collection of gold bracelets tinkled at her wrists and ankles. She was rather beautiful, and though she kept her eyes down and head bowed, she carried herself with confidence.

“Pardon the interruption, Your Highness,” the woman said as she straightened and the guard stepped out, closing the door. “My name is Shalla. I am one of Her Majesty’s servants. Queen Vashti has asked that I invite you to attend tea with her and her ladies this morning, along with some of the other visiting guests.”

Her eyes sparkled with humor as she noted the cup of tea I currently had in my hand.

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