Page 122 of The Twisted Throne

“This is all my father’s doing.”

His friend was silent for a long moment, then he said, “The gossip over this surprise event, which obviously wasn’t orchestrated by Alexandra, has rumors flying. You would not believe the speculations I’ve heard.”

James only grunted a response, every part of him praying that Ahnna had taken her forced confinement as a reason to run. That she was already out of the Sky Palace. That she’d taken Dippy and run as far and fast from Harendell as she could. Somewhere she would be free from people trying to use her to their benefit.

“I asked Ginny if she knew what was going on, but even she is entirely in the dark. Seems the same for you, Jamie, if I’m being honest. If I were a betting man, which I am, I’d wager that Will is the only one in the know, which is a first for him.”

James hardly heard Georgie’s words, but his thoughts were interrupted by the herald bellowing, “Her Most Royal Majesty, Queen Alexandra of Harendell.”

James turned his head to watch Alexandra enter. She was dressed in an elaborate gown with enough jewels to buy a kingdom, but her hair was pulled into a simple twist, speaking to the speed with which she’d gotten ready. She gave James a half smile as she passed, heading to where his father was arguing with Ginny. Their conversation broke off as the queen reached them.

Nearby, Elizabeth said rather loudly, “Are simple hairstyles to be the new fashion, then?”

Speculation over the queen’s hair broke out among the ladies, and George said softly, “You don’t suppose that your father didn’t plan for Alexandra to be here tonight, do you?”

James supposed exactly that, and the fact that Alexandra had the wherewithal to return to Verwyrd just in time made him wonder what else she knew.

Murmurs filled the air, then the herald bellowed, “Her Most Royal Highness, Princess Ahnna of Ithicana, beloved sister to His Royal Majesty, King Aren of Ithicana, the Master of the Bridge.”

At the herald’s words, his father’s gaze snapped to the end of the ballroom, dismay written across his face. James slowly turned, rendered speechless by the sight of her. As was, judging from the silence in the ballroom, everyone else.

Ahnna wore a gown made of leather such a dark green that it was nearly black. It was high-necked, the garment encircling her throat like a choker, her shoulders and arms entirely bare. The thin leather clung to her torso until it reached her hips, where it spread out in a full skirt, the tips of black boots peeking out with each of her long strides. Her hair was woven into a severe coronet of braids, on which she wore a crown. Not a tiara, but an actual crown of gold, emeralds, and black diamonds, earrings of the same reaching almost to her naked shoulders. Her eyes were rimmed with black, cheekbones shaded in a way that made them look sharp enough to cut as she walked past James, not giving him a sideways glance.

Only carried on toward his father, allowing James full view of her back. While the front of her gown spit in the face of fashion, which favored a tremendous amount of visible cleavage, Ahnna’s back was entirely naked, the dress plunging down until just above her curved ass, the fabric twisted in such a way that the skirt flowing to her feet looked like a midnight river. A chain of jewels set in an asymmetrical pattern hung down her spine, swaying as she walked.

“Ithicana shows her true colors,” Georgie murmured, butJames was already following Ahnna, drawn to her like iron to a lodestone. Ahead of him, she dropped into a perfect curtsy.

“Your Majesties,” she said.

His father had regained his composure and swiftly reached to take her hand, giving her a wide smile that made James want to scream, because it was so entirely false. “Ahnna, you are the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Instead of commenting on the fact that she was not supposed to be here by virtue of having been locked in her room, all Ahnna said was, “Thank you, Your Grace.”

Alexandra stepped forward to kiss both of Ahnna’s cheeks. “You are perfection. Ithicana incarnate.”

His father’s jaw tightened, understanding as readily as James did that Alexandra was the reason Ahnna was in attendance.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Ahnna said. “You are kind to say so.”

“Music!” Alexandra called to the orchestra. “I want to see my guests dancing.”

They lifted their instruments, the nobility obediently moving onto the floor in pairs.

“You might have taken the time for a bath, Jamie,” his father said, looking him up and down. “And dressed for the occasion. This is a night for celebration, yet you look as though you have been to war. Why don’t you remedy that.”

“I’m fine as is, thank you.” James suspected his father knew exactly what he intended to do.

“It wasn’t a suggestion.”

“Edward, let him be,” Alexandra said, examining a ring on her finger. “There’s not a person here who isn’t aware that our Jamie is more soldier than prince, so they’ll be forgiving of the clothing.” She gave James a smile he couldn’t read. “And amused by the smell.”

An unlikely ally, and James knew that Alexandra was only siding with him because his father was the target of her ire tonight. Judging from the tenseness of his father’s jaw, he knew it, too. He hadn’t wanted her in Verwyrd for this moment, and yet here Alexandra was.

HereAhnnawas.

Taking the opportunity, James rounded on Ahnna, who was more fiercely exquisite than he’d ever seen her, and held out his hand. “A dance, my lady?”

She stared at him for a heartbeat, face fixed in the way of someone hiding their emotions, but then she inclined her head. “I would love to.”

---