Page 80 of Kingdom of Dance

They were walking in silence, but the figure spun around, something alerting him to their presence. With a flare of indignation, Zinnia recognized him, just as he spoke. Lleuad.

“Obsidian! There you are. I hoped I’d find you.”

The older enchanter’s eyes rested briefly on Zinnia, and he bowed. “Your Highness.”

“A little late to be visiting, isn’t it?” she asked coldly, remembering that Basil had given instructions for the enchanter to be kept away.

“Most rude of me,” he agreed quickly, his eyes darting back to his grandson, who was frozen in place beside Zinnia. “Obsidian, I need a private word with you. It’s important.”

“I think I’ve made my feelings on further contact clear,” Obsidian said through gritted teeth.

“Young man, this unyielding attitude has gone quite far enough,” Lleuad said crisply. “I need to speak to you on a matter of importance—it is to your benefit as much as mine for you to listen to what I have to say.”

Obsidian opened his mouth angrily, but Zinnia’s hand shot out, grasping his wrist. She gave the tiniest shake of her head, and to her gratification, he subsided.

“If you’d been raised with a decent sense of respect, you’d—”

Zinnia tuned out the lecture, focusing her attention on Obsidian instead. Every time he seemed close to snapping, she squeezed his arm warningly, and he mastered himself. After several maddening minutes, the older man talked himself out. His eyes flicked between the two of them, clearly waiting for Zinnia to step away and give him and his grandson privacy. She made no move, and neither she nor Obsidian spoke. Lleuad cleared his throat, shifting on his feet. Still they remained silent.

“I hate to inconvenience you, of course, Your Highness,” he said, with an air of prompting.

Zinnia said nothing, and at her continued pressure on Obsidian’s arm, neither did he.

The enchanter shifted his feet again, his expression equal parts frustration and discomfort. His eyes darted back to Obsidian.

“It really is a matter of great importance.”

Zinnia inclined her head in polite interest, and Obsidian’s face gave no indication of having heard the words at all.

After a final sputtered attempt, Lleuad bowed, his voice now crisp. “I see that I’ve caught you at a bad time. I will have to try again later.” Still looking agitated, he strode from the courtyard.

Obsidian turned to Zinnia, looking amazed. “How did you get rid of him so easily? Are you sure you don’t have magic?”

Chapter Nineteen

Zinnia just grinned. “Wren taught me that trick. Silence can be an extremely powerful tool. I’ve seen the most self-possessed advisors come completely undone when she just regards them in sustained, polite silence.”

Obsidian shook his head slightly. “It’s quite a trick.” His brow creased. “But not what you wanted to speak to me about, I imagine.”

“I didn’t say I wanted to speak to you about anything,” said Zinnia lightly. “I just want to hear about your trip.” She lifted her eyebrows expectantly. “Aren’t you going to offer me your arm?”

Obsidian was visibly startled by the request, but after a moment’s hesitation, he held out his arm. Zinnia slipped hers through it, steering him away from the courtyard and toward the royal suite.

“Did you have safe travels?” she asked brightly. “Where did you go?”

Obsidian’s wary air made it clear that he wasn’t supposed to tell her the details of his errand. But he seemed to realize the question required some answer.

“I went back to my home, actually.”

“Really?” Zinnia almost forgot her true purpose, genuine interest causing her to look up into his face. “Where is your home?”

“Almost a day’s ride north of here,” Obsidian said. “Not far from the start of the dragons’ realm.”

They were approaching the corridor where the princesses’ rooms were situated, and Zinnia could hear the sound of her boisterous younger sisters being shepherded into the nursery. She slowed her steps, eager to avoid any family members becoming witnesses to her questionable behavior.

“Will you tell me more about it?” she asked casually, pausing just before the corner. “You live with your mother, don’t you?”

Obsidian nodded, still looking suspicious. “What do you want to know?”

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