Page 83 of The Twisted Throne

“I won’t hear of that,” William said. “James, you’ll make time, yes?”

Making time looked like the last thing James was interested in, but he inclined his head. “Of course. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

As he turned, Ahnna found herself asking, “What happened to the woman in Marickshire?”

James did not turn around, but Ahnna swore he stiffened slightly before he said, “I crossed paths with a messenger on my way who informed me she was already deceased. They burned her alive.”

Then he left without another word.

“Why don’t the Cardiffians learn?” Virginia muttered. “It’s so frustrating how they endlessly put us in this position.”

It was a heartless response, but Ahnna bit down on a retort and instead asked, “What business is there at this hour?”

“Patrols, I assume,” William said with a shrug. “James likes riding around in the dark looking for evildoers. Idleness drives himmad. Though in this case, it’s because armed Amaridians are rumored to be mucking about the countryside, and there is little he likes better than hunting them. Overachiever, our brother is. Although I suppose he might also have an assignation planned. Who can say.”

Ahnna’s stomach dropped, but she kept her face blank as she said, “I wasn’t aware the Amaridians were still causing trouble.” Nor did she think that was what James was attending to, given it was a task that could most certainly be delegated.

Virginia blew out a breath between pursed lips. “If Jamie wanted us to know what he was doing, he’d have told us. His business is his own.”

If it had been Amaridians, James would have said so, and jealousy Ahnna had no right to feel bit at her stomach that William’s offhand remark might well be the truth. That he might have a relationship with some woman.

Except if that was the case, why had he kissed her that night in the hedge maze? James did not strike her as the sort to be so faithless as to kiss one woman while courting another.

Unlike you,she silently chastised herself.Apparently, you are precisely that faithless, kissing one brother while betrothed to another. Satisfying yourself with visions of one brother while you pursue marriage with the other.

Ahnna struggled not to cringe, especially when she realized that William was watching her intently. “His dedication is commendable,” she said.

“It most certainly is.” William tilted his head slightly as he considered her. “But alas, on that note, I am to bed. I had a long day at the races and will leave you two to your gossip. Good night.”

“Good night,” Ahnna murmured, her attention turning to Virginia as the prince departed the room.

“More wine?” Virginia asked. “It’s early yet.”

Ahnna nodded assent. Virginia gestured a hand, and a waiting servant filled both their glasses. “It’s a positive sign that William has given you a gift,” the princess said. “I know he’s not been the kindest to you, but he has a good heart. He’s just learned to keep it hidden.” She sighed. “It’s difficult for him, always having to live up to Jamie, whom our father has always placed on the highest of pedestals because Jamie is good at all the things that our father values. No matter how hard he tried, Will could never please our father, so for years now, he’s given up trying at all. Yet in recent days, he’s rallied, and I think it’s because of your presence. You heard his reaction to the idea of love matches.”

The unease Ahnna had felt at William’s fervor over the suggestion returned, though she could not articulate to herself why.

“Do you think you could come to love my brother, Ahnna?” Virginia asked. “To build a marriage based on more than just politics? Because in my heart, I think there is nothing William desires more than to be loved. And I believe he deserves love from his wife.”

Ahnna felt her throat close up, her heart recoiling because the answer wasno.She did not see herself ever loving a man like William. What she saw was a future that she’d endure for the sake of Ithicana. But that wasn’t the answer Virginia wished to hear. “I have high hopes for a friendship between us,” she finally said. “While I hope for more, hope for love, I worry about putting my heart at risk.”

“Isn’t that the point of love?” Virginia asked. “To risk everything for it, most especially your heart? Like Keris did for Zarrah.” The corner of her mouth turned up. “Like your own brother did for his wife?” She narrowed her eyes. “Or must it be my brother’s heart that takes all the risk?”

The defensiveness in Virginia’s voice was intense, and havingbeen in the woman’s shoes, Ahnna understood her position all too well. “I’ve no intention of hurting your brother, Virginia. But it was your advice to allow him to come to me, your advice not to push, and I took that to heart.”

Virginia was silent for a long moment. “You are not fooling me, Ahnna. I know you hold no romantic interest in my brother. My eyes may have failed me, but in their loss, I have gained other instincts. If you were a Harendellian woman, I might think nothing of your lack of interest, as you’d have been raised not to expect sentiment in your marital union. Except what you told me tonight of Ithicana’s practices make me wonder why you’ve so easily come to terms with a loveless future.”

“What would you have me do?” Ahnna asked, fully aware she was on the back foot in this argument, the princess more perceptive than she’d realized. “Throw myself at your brother? Wait naked in his bed so as to seduce him? He’s not stupid. He will know that after how he has treated me, my behavior is a pretense, and I think it a far better thing for our relationship to have a foundation of honesty rather than deception.”

“I could not agree more.” Virginia’s expression was hard. “I will be frank. You told me that it was your choice to come to Harendell, but I find that suspect. You might have remained in the land of your birth and had everything: power, privilege, and true love. You told me you desired to come to Harendell because you wished to do good things in union with William, but what good things? Harendell’s relationship with Ithicana is already strong and prosperous, so what do you aim to accomplish that is worth all that you have quite clearly sacrificed? Why are you here, Ahnna? What are you using William to achieve?”

Shit shit shit!Ahnna silently screamed, because what possible answer could she give that would satisfy the princess?

“My mother gave her word when she signed the Fifteen-Year Treaty with your father,” Ahnna finally said. “I committed to the same promise when I met with him to secure aid against Maridrina. When I give my word, I keep it, no matter the cost to me. All that said, I do desire to have a positive union with William. It is my goal to make this marriage work as well as I am able. But I cannot promise an emotion that has not yet been earned by either of us.”

Silence stretched, the tension thick enough to cut with the knife strapped to Ahnna’s thigh. Then Virginia said, “I believe what you say is true. Yet I do not find that I trust you, Ahnna Kertell.”

“Trust is another thing that must be earned.” Ahnna rose to her feet. “I should go to bed. Thank you for the lovely evening.”

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