Page 76 of Enchanted Heir
“No,” he barked.
“You don’t even know what I was going to ask!” I said defensively.
He squinted. “I think you were going to say that our training sessions would be cancelled because of mere weather. And they will not, we will train indoors.”
That sounded horrible. The only reason I tolerated our sessions as is was because I got to spend more time in the forest.
“Dammit,” I sighed.
“Language, Princess,” he scolded.
I snorted. “Coming from you?”
He shrugged. “I’m not a consort, obviously.”
I rolled my eyes.
Just before we got to the double doors at the top of the stairs, Owen reached out to stop me.
“Yes?”
Owen spoke quietly. “I meant to tell you this before we left. Krew says the king has been drinking wine all afternoon. He told me to be extra watchful tonight. And I’m telling you because you aren’t entirely defenseless yourself.”
I gave him a nod. “Okay, so steer clear. Got it. Was it because of—”
Owen shook his head. “I don’t think so. But who knows? The king is usually plastered a few times a week so it’s hard to pinpoint what causes it.”
I gave him a sarcastic smile. “I’m so tired and not in the mood for this tonight.”
Owen gave me a nod. “Same. Get in, look fancy, dance, get out. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
CHAPTER20
Ibarely found Rinaldi for a water when Krew was there, putting a hand at the small of my back and pulling me away.
“Fast enough for you, love?” he asked playfully.
I gave him a shrug. “You could’ve been faster.”
He shook his head, putting his hands on my waist to turn me slightly so I was facing the room and he was facing me. “So only the Koss and Varga families are here tonight, of the ones I told you about.”
I gave him a nod. “Okay.”
He slightly squinted at me. “Could you at least look like we are having some sort of romantic conversation?”
I laughed. “Oh right. Okay.” I reached in and played with the lapel of his tailcoat. “Better?” I whispered.
His answer was to begin explaining. “The Kosses you said you met before. Do you see Annette Koss over there toward the champagne flutes? In a pale blue gown?”
I found her right away, but then forced my eyes back to Krew’s. “Yes.”
“Her husband Tyrian is likely close by. He rarely lets her out of his sight. He’s roughly the same height as her with dark hair and glasses. Don’t be fooled by her fake pleasantries either. She takes in every speck of gossip and will befriend you only to use what you tell her later. She knows all the kingdom’s secrets.”
“Noted.” I looked back toward them to spot her husband. Sure enough, there was a man with dark hair and glasses nearby laughing with another man.
“The Vargas were over there by the grand staircase chatting with some other Savaryn families. I’m not sure if they still are. Thomas is wearing a suit similar to mine, his dark hair slicked back. And his wife Nellandra should be next to him. She is wearing a dark purple gown.
