Page 57 of Lady of Ashes

“Not until after we have eaten, Theo,” his mother replied curtly, reaching for her own alcohol. “I have not seen my son in months. I will certainly be eating dinner with him and the Lady he is courting.”

Silence wrought with thick tension settled in the room as servants entered with the ?rst course of the evening. While plates were being placed in front of them, Callan felt a soft touch on his arm, and he turned to ?nd Tava looking up at him. Her poise was perfect, but he could see the smallest glimmer of concern in her eyes. He gave her a tight smile, trying to reassure her, but he didn’t know how this was going to play out. He’d thought his father would be paci?ed to simply know he was courting someone, but as he glanced at him from the corner of his eye, he knew that was not going to be the case. The king was livid.

Callan had only eaten a few spoonfuls of soup when Veda set her spoon down as she said into the tense quiet, “I am sorry to bring this back up again right now, but what exactly is happening here?”

Her eyes were narrowed on Tava, and Callan had the sudden urge to push Tava behind him and shield her from Veda’s death glare. Tava, however, sat up a little straighter, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin before she said, “I really should be thanking you and Mikale for this actually.”

“What?” Veda asked, her lips pursing.

“If it had not been for that engagement dinner for Mikale and Scarlett, this may have never happened. So really …” She glanced at Callan, giving him a shy smile before turning back to Veda and saying, “This is all because of you.”

Callan had to ?ght the grin at the real meaning of those words, but he saw them hit home as Veda’s features twisted into wrath. She had dark eyes naturally, but they seemed to go completely black as she stared back at Tava.

“I do not understand what you mean,” Mikale ground out, and Tava leaned around Lord Lairwood to square off with Mikale now, too. Lord Lairwood was oddly silent, and Callan didn’t know what to make of that. One would think he would be more upset about his daughter’s chance at the throne being jeopardized, but he was watching his children warily, eating his soup.

“After you had to help Scarlett to her room that night, my brother was called away on some other business. Callan did not want me riding home alone. He insisted I ride with him in his carriage to make sure I arrived home safely. Quite silly of him, really, but who am I to deny a prince?”

She shrugged innocently, picking up her wine glass. “We had pleasant conversation and discovered a common love of books and preferring quiet over the bustle of daily life. Of course, he had to leave unexpectedly the next day, and I did not think anything of our time together, until his ?rst letter arrived a week later. As more and more letters were exchanged, things just … happened.”

She looked back at Callan, another smile gracing her lips. Her story had been so smooth, as if she’d rehearsed it for months, not merely discussed it with him a few hours ago.

“One could almost say it was fate,” he added, picking up his own wine glass.

“One could say destiny is a ?ckle thing,” she said with a small smile, echoing the Shifter’s words from earlier that day. She was witty, this quiet, docile Lady.

“Did you know of this?” Lord Tyndell demanded, his attention ?xed on Drake.

“I had no idea, Father,” Drake answered, pushing his empty soup bowl back from him. “But I trust you are as excited as I am. I think they make a lovely match.”

“Of course he is excited,” Queen Meredith tittered, seemingly oblivious to the obvious tension around her, a servant re?lling her chalice with wine. “His daughter is going to be the queen someday.”

“It is settled then,” the king said from the head of the table. “We can make an announcement ?rst thing tomorrow.”

“What? No,” Callan said, unable to believe they were somehow back on him becoming engaged this very night.

“Enough!” his father barked, his ?st slamming on to the table again. He lifted a ?nger, pointing it at Callan. “You have a responsibility to this kingdom, Callan.”

“I know that!” Callan retorted, his own voice rising.

“Do you? Because the people of Windonelle just saw their Crown Prince disappear for months. We had to make up stories about your extended absence. How am I supposed to entrust you with the throne when you behave this way?”

“I can explain—”

“And you will,” the king sneered. “But you will also start ful?lling your duties to this kingdom, and you will begin by taking a wife.”

“Father, please,” Callan said, gritting his teeth. “Let’s discuss this further.”

“Yes, let’s discuss this further,” Mikale ground out. “There was an agreement made regarding this matter.”

“That was before my son returned with a potential bride,” the king answered, picking up his soup spoon again.

“That voids your word?” Mikale demanded.

“Watch it, young Lord,” the king snarled.

“Forgive me, your Majesty,” Mikale said, his tone tight with restraint. “I am simply trying to understand to be better prepared to serve Callan as his Hand.”

“A marriage will be much smoother if he has a say in the bride, Mikale,” his father replied dismissively, reaching for a piece of bread from the basket before him. “Him returning already courting is far better than forcing him into a union.”

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