“You appear perfectly fine,” Temra points out. “I see no marks. No tears in your clothing. Where exactly is my sister supposed to have struck you?”
He huffs proudly. “I don’t need to explain myself.”
“I think you do, son,” Reniver says.
“How can you doubt him?” Erinar says.
“You know how he can be. I’m worried we don’t have the full story.”
“What kind of parents would we be if we don’t believe our child? And if the blacksmith were innocent, perhaps she’d have more words to disclose.”
My face heats, and I feel wetness at the corners of my eyes as fury and fear take hold within me. Words. Find my words.
“Asel—he—” Breathe. “He made unwanted advances toward me. I may not have said the kindest things in response, but I didn’t lay a finger on him.”
Reniver nods, as though he feared that’s what happened.
“Is that true, Asel?” the governor asks.
“No, Father. I swear it happened as I said.”
Both the governor and his husband look between Asel and me. I watch as they check my knuckles. Reniver nods to himself, as though unsurprised to find unbroken skin there. The governor seems to notice for the first time the large scene he’s caused and the people all looking on.
“I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the governor says to his guests. “It appears my husband and I need to have an important chat with our son about honesty.”
A vein stands out on Asel’s face, and the young man looks positively mortified. I become embarrassed for him instead of myself.
Reniver begins making apologies and ushering guests out. The governor takes a step toward me. More quietly, he says, “I apologize for the night being ruined and for the actions of my son. You can expect a formal apology from him in the future.”
“That’s not necessary,” I hurry to say. The last thing I need is to see Asel again, this time in my home.
But the governor doesn’t hear my response. He’s begun assisting his husband with apologizing to the other guests as they leave through the doors.
Asel stomps toward us. “This isn’t over. You’re going to regret this.”
“Go run to your fathers. Sounds like you’re about to get a scolding,” Temra says smugly.
I grab her arm so we can depart.
* * *
Our horse, Reya, is waiting for us in the stables. I breathe in the smell of her cool hide, forcing my thoughts to the here and now. To safety. Temra bought our mare a few years ago so she could ride into the city more quickly for her lessons, though I’ve seen her saddle the horse a few times at night to sneak off to meet boys, which resulted in me revoking her horse-riding privileges from time to time.
Wordlessly we saddle Reya. Temra tells the eager stable hand to leave us be as she tightens the girth. Meanwhile I strap on her bridle.
We hoist ourselves up. I let Temra take the reins and position herself up front, while I climb on behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and lean my forehead against the back of her neck.
We trot out into the night, then adjust to a walk when the governor’s estate is far behind us.
Temra taps a finger against one of my hands. “Tell me what happened?” The question gives me room to refuse, but I want to tell her everything.
“He was so nice at first, and then he tried to…”
“To…？” she prompts.
My thoughts take a dive. I was forced to attend a party. Asel tried to kiss me. He dared to lie to his father when I refused him. He caused that big scene. There were so many eyes on me. He threatened us before we left. What more does he intend to do?
Over and over again, I see his lips puckering, his affronted look of confusion when I didn’t want to touch him. Because he expects everyone to want him. And then he pitches fits when he doesn’t get what he wants.
Just like that, I’m angry again.
“The governor said it would be a small affair. Just a dinner, not a party. I wasn’t able to properly prepare myself for that event.” My voice rises to a near shriek. “And then he has the nerve to sic his son on me! Because, what? He thinks it’ll make himself look better politically to be connected to me?”
“I think he just wanted you to meet his son. He couldn’t have anticipated that Asel would—”
“And then Asel has the nerve to try to kiss me. Just because he made me laugh. He thinks that entitles him to a reward. Well, I have news for him. He’s not as attractive as he thinks he is! In fact, his shallowness would rival a dog’s piss puddle!”