Page 95 of The Twisted Throne

All of the above.

“You shouldn’t have allowed her to leave the Sky Palace without a more significant guard,” James said, struggling to keep his anger in check. “William is careless and drunk and doesn’t consider the risks. You shouldn’t have left her alone.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Georgie snapped. “Virginia got into a row with Ahnna and got out of the carriage. Would you have preferred I’d allowed your sister, who’d had far too much to drink, to stumble blindly up the spiral by herself?”

“I’d have preferred none of this had occurred,” James snapped. “Now is not the time for carousing in the city, George. You know that.”

“And I protested. Vigorously. But William was bent and determined, and as much as I might wish otherwise, I do not get to give orders to the crown fucking prince.” Georgie gave a sharp shake of his head. “Where were you?”

James had been in Thistleford, meeting with Cormac.

“Elsie didn’t get it out of your system?” Georgie huffed out a breath. “Maybe instead of picking a fight, you get on Maven and head back to Thistleford, Jamie. Because don’t think for a heartbeat that I haven’t noticed how you look at Ahnna. Or how you lose your head over anything to do with her.”

James’s anger vanished, hands turning to ice.

Georgie gave a soft laugh that was devoid of humor. “We’ve been friends all our lives, and you think I didn’t notice that you were taken with her? I could tell from the moment that I saw you standing barefoot on that pier, staring at her like she was a candle in the darkest night, Jamie. You’re falling for the woman who is betrothed to your brother.”

“I’m not…” James trailed off. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? That’s what you call losing sleep so that you can turn that fool of a racehorse into a proper saddle horse for her? That’s what you call locking the Sky Palace up like a prison so no one can get in or out? What you call dragging our best men in the Lowlands back to Verwyrd to play bodyguard? What you call picking a fight with the king of another nation over? Nothing?”

James grimaced because there was no good answer in the face of Georgie’s accusations. “I’ll get over it.”

“The only way that’s going to happen is if she’s out of sight,” Georgie said. “Get your father to send you back to the Lowlands. Work off this frustration fighting the Amaridians. I’ll stay and do what needs to be done until you’ve gotten her out of your system.”

If only that were possible. In more ways than one.

Yet though he couldn’t take Georgie’s advice, his friend’s words had done their duty in dousing his anger, reason making its way back into his head.

“Go get some sleep,” Georgie said, giving him a gentle shove. “I’ll keep an eye on Ahnna and William tonight.”

Giving a tight nod, James turned and started back toward the Sky Palace.

Turning on her heel, Ahnnaopened the door and headed back into the common room, sitting down next to William. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw James circle the common room and leave out the front door, Georgie on his heels.

“There you are,” William said. “Another round on the crown! And a toast to Ithicana!”

Everyone in the common room shouted, “Huzzah!” and lifted their glasses, but all Ahnna heard was Aren, his voice urgent as he said,Harendell is turning on us, Ahnna. They are no longer our friends.

The core of her heart didn’t want to believe this was the case. Wanted to believe that all of Edward’s kind words and promises were the truth. That the king of Harendell thought she was worthy, even if no one else did. But the pragmatic part of her knew that Aren wouldn’t have left Lara so soon after Delia’s birth if he wasn’t certain that the treaty was souring.

“William,” she said, waiting until he turned his head to look ather, eyes glazed with wine. “Are you familiar with someone with the initials C.F.?”

He frowned. “What an odd question.”

“Humor me.”

“C.F.” He made a soft humming sound, considering the initials, then shrugged. “Nothing comes to mind. Ask me again when I’m sober.”

Ahnna wouldn’t bother, because it was clear to her that William had no idea that his mother was moving money through his accounts. And in truth, the answer might well not be worth Ahnna’s time. After what Aren had said, it was probably some mistress William had gotten with child, Alexandra making the payments to keep the mother silent and content with being ignored.

You are not Alexandra. You’ll never hold power here. It’s just not in the cards.Her stomach tightened as Aren’s voice filled her head.This betrothal isn’t going to save us. It’s going to cost us, one way or another.

His words carved out her heart, the sense of worthlessness that had plagued Ahnna all her life rising to fill the space. Was refusing to leave a selfish choice? A decision made by the desperate desire for atonement that burned in her soul? Was she a fool for digging in her heels? Because Ahnna didn’t think it was that simple.

Next to her, William was jabbering on. About his racehorses. His bulls. His hunting trophies. His skill with cards. He didn’t even notice her silence, which was just as well because her mind was consumed with the dilemma she faced.

Leaving would mean Ithicana was breaking the terms of the Fifteen-Year Treaty. Breaking an alliance that ensured peace and prosperity between Ithicana and Harendell. Even if Edward’s words to her were lies and he didn’t want her here, he would have to act to save face if she left in the night. All it would take was a fewmonths’ embargo on Northwatch as punishment for the violation of the treaty, and Ithicana would be plunged into a true famine. To avoid an embargo, Aren would be forced to make concessions that would result in the same.

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