Page 34 of To Wake a Kingdom

He scanned the book, picking it up and wandering into the pantry, murmuring to himself.

Turning to Ronan, I pointed my toast at him, more determined than ever to get these warriors from my enemy kingdom out of my home. Ronan officially knew too much, and I didn’t need him getting any closer to the truth about what else had happened inside these walls.

“So, you’ll be off today?” Everyone turned to look at me. “What? You convinced me to have dinner at the chateau, but now it’s time to leave as we agreed, right? It looks like another storm is coming, so you’ll want to be well on your way before then.”

“But, Your Highness,” Kianna said, “Valentus is in just two days. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to attend in Tenby this year?”

My eyes narrowed. What was she up to now? Why was she bringing up Valentus, of all things? To my knowledge, no one in the castle ever attended. The Fae had spurned such celebrations, claiming they were pale, bastardized human copies of the Faerie versions. It was a night for the villagers. One meant for drinking and carousing.

Kianna exchanged a meaningful glance with Em. She clearly wanted to keep Em here, but Kianna didn’t know how dangerous this was. The longer Ronan stayed in this castle, the more likely he was to discover my secret. Her flirtatious crush could spell untold disaster.

“Kianna, can I talk to you outside?” With gritted teeth, I threw her a pointed look. My temper threatened to burst, but I would do Kianna the courtesy of scolding her without an audience.

She ignored my request, simply turning away as though I hadn’t spoken, like I was a vase sitting at the center of the table. My teeth ground so hard I felt it in my temple.

“I’ve always wanted to go,” she exclaimed, refusing to meet my eyes. “My sisters never approved.”

“I haven’t been to Valentus in years,” Noah said in a wistful voice. “We’ve been out in the field for so long, I’d forgotten it was coming up. You should see how wild it gets in Estria.”

Em snorted into her mug and pointed to Noah. “Remember that year you ended up naked inside Old Lady Shimp’s hay loft? She nearly tore off your backside, chasing you with that rake.”

“Ah, but it was worth it for a night with her oh-so-shapely daughter, literally rolling in the hay.” Noah winked at me, and I wrinkled my nose. Everyone burst into laughter.Noah continued, “Your Highness, it wouldn’t be proper to attend alone. Surely a guard would be most suitable.” His questioning gaze flicked to Ronan, who was watching me. “Ronan, come on. What’s a few more days?” There was a pleading edge to his voice. “I promise we’ll scout some of the nearby villages this afternoon.”

Em chimed in as well, and after Ronan folded like a cheap paper fan, everyone returned their attention to me.Too arrogant to beg, Ronan’s query came from that single, devastating raised eyebrow I was apparently helpless to resist, because my resolve was as solid as a house of cards in a windstorm. Finding those enormous, clawed footprints outside had shaken me, and these warriors provided a layer of security from what hid under my bed.

“Fine, you can stay here a few more days and attend, but Kianna and I will remain here.” With a sharp look, I dared her to argue, but I wasn’t sure why I thought I had any authority, because she did it anyway.

Pressing her hands together in front of her heart, she implored me with round doe eyes.“Please, Your Highness. Let’s go. You could use a night of fun, forallour sakes. Please?”

I ignored Ronan’s snort and looked to Gideon for aid. Just returned from the pantry, he wore an expectant smile. “What about you?”

“It is one night I usually get a break from my duties, Your Highness.” He held up the book. “And, regrettably, we do not have everything you need. We can pick up the rest while we’re in the city.”

With a sigh, I rolled my eyes and put on my most irritated expression. “I guess I’m outnumbered.”

A cheer went up around the table, and I smiled despite myself. I was doing this only to secure the ingredients I needed. As animated chatter filled the room, Ronan’s eyes locked with mine.

The noise melted away, and it was the two of us standing out on a ledge, a pair of magnets drawn by fate’s meddling pull. His perfect, full lips turned up into a smile that mirrored the private thoughts I only allowed myself during the moonlit hours in my bed, as my heart stuttered and tripped on its face.

Chapter Sixteen

21 days left

Thesnowkeptfalling,coating the forest in icy frost. We kept mostly indoors, haunting the hallways and listening to the howling of the wind. Kianna retreated to her bedroom to sleep while Gideon kept busy in the kitchen. In between scouting for the king, Noah and Em moved their training to the ballroom.

They grunted and punched and fought with their fists and their knives, and I insisted they teach me that too. After spending long hours practising with Ronan, I was improving. It wasn’t enough to take down Mare, but it still catered to some flimsy illusion of freedom. This ability to defend and care for myself was something I hadn’t even realized I needed.

Following a grueling session in the ballroom, I retreated to the throne room, as I did every night. Sitting amongst the people I loved calmed me as the sounds of their soft breaths filled the quiet space.

Adrian slumped against the dais stairs, his head cradled in his arms where a lock of dark hair had fallen across his forehead. I leaned down to brush it back before resting my hand on his warm cheek, caressing the rough bit of stubble. How I wished I could thank him for those final grim days. Thank him for being the only one who hadn’t made me feel like I was covered in boils that would infect him if I got too close.

A bottle of wine placed on the floor next to me, I sat down between my parents. Leaning against my mother’s legs, I recalled the day before my twenty-first birthday all those years ago.

Anxiety lingered in the castle, but it blended with an undeniable sense of relief. I had become a burden. Once we’d accepted the inevitable, everyone was eager to get this over with. Which, I supposed, was fair. After I was asleep, Mare would stay away, and she’d leave them in peace. The only thing anyone had to give up was me.

Soft footsteps preceded Ronan into the room. He wore a white shirt, the open collar exposing the hard planes of his chest, the sleeves fitted against sculpted arms. Fresh from a bath, his shiny hair hung past his shoulders, braids neatly redone, the top half swept into a knot at the back of his head. His pants hugged his hips as if they worshipped him, and I’d never been more envious of a piece of leather in my life. I took a large swig of wine to calm my nerves, which were in a permanent state of turmoil.

“You okay?” Hands stuffed in his pockets, he canted his head. “Drinking alone, Little Lion?”

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