Pulling away just in time to catch the flash of surprise on Zuleeka’s face, Kiva linked arms with both of her siblings and led them over to where the others stood. “I’d like you to meet my brother and sister, Torell and Zuleeka. Tor, Zulee, this is, um . . .”
Words fled her as she realized she had no idea how to introduce the royals to their greatest enemies.
“I’m Caldon,” the prince said smoothly, stepping forward to save Kiva, shaking Tor’s hand and kissing the back of Zuleeka’s. Surprisingly, he didn’t attempt any flirtation, as if he knew the last thing Kiva needed was for him to be propositioning her sister.
“I’m Mirryn,” the princess said, continuing the introductions. She pointed to the rest of the group. “That’s Naari, Tipp, and —”
“Prince Deverick,” Jaren cut in, crossing his arms in a decidedly unwelcoming way.
Kiva rocked back on her heels, startled not only by the formal name, but also by the coldness in his tone. His eyes were like blue ice, the gold rims like blazing flames.
“It’s an honor, Your Highness,” Zuleeka said, curtseying deeply and looking at Jaren from under her lashes. “Thank you for taking such good care of our sister. We can’t tell you how much she means to us — and how grateful we are.”
Kiva felt a twinge of discomfort at the simpering words.
“Now that she’s back, we can be a family again. Just like we’ve always wanted,” Zuleeka said with a bright smile, looking fondly at Kiva.
Jaren said nothing, but his face remained like stone.
Something was very, very wrong.
Had he figured out that it was Zuleeka he’d crossed blades with last night? Did he know the Viper and the Jackal stood before him? Why else would he be so angry?
And yet he didn’t call for the guards, but simply said, “Lunch awaits us,” before turning on his heel and striding into the palace.
“Someone’s got a prickle in his pants,” Caldon murmured to Kiva, but she was too busy trying not to panic to reply.
He couldn’t know. Surely Jaren couldn’t know. Zuleeka and Torell never would have come if they’d thought there was even a chance of being outed. But if not that, then why was Jaren so upset?
And then there was Naari, who was hurrying after Jaren — Naari who had no idea she was about to dine with her nemesis, the person who had cut off her hand.
The guard might not realize, but Zuleeka had to know who she had inflicted so much damage upon three years ago — and who she had crossed blades with multiple times since then, including just last night.
Gods, Kiva didn’t think she could do this.
But she had to. So she took a steadying breath and followed her siblings into the palace, listening with half an ear as Mirryn played the courteous tour guide and Tipp offered his own boisterous commentary.
“Why didn’t you tell me your brother looked like that?” Caldon asked quietly, bringing up the rear of the group with Kiva.
“Like what?” she murmured distractedly.
“What do you mean, ‘like what’？” Caldon said, exasperated. “Like that.” He waved a hand toward Tor’s strong back. “He’s delicious.”
That was enough to shock Kiva from her fears, and she whipped her head toward the prince. “I thought you were into girls?”
Caldon pulled a face. “Firstly,” he said, “women. I’m into women — not girls. There’s a difference.”
Kiva raised her hands in apology. “All right, sorry.”
“And secondly,” Caldon said with strained patience, “I’m attracted to who I’m attracted to. And right now, there is nothing about that” — he dipped his chin toward Torell — “that isn’t attractive.” Somewhat woefully, he added, “I can’t believe you kept him a secret.”
“In my defense, I didn’t see him until yesterday,” Kiva said, sticking with her lie.
Caldon had nothing to say to that, but there was something in his silence, some hidden depth to it that Kiva couldn’t identify. It vanished, however, when they approached the River Room and he leaned in to whisper, “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on with Jaren, but I can make a pretty good guess. I’ll help as much as I can, but if I’m right, this lunch is going to be uncomfortable. Whatever happens, just remember that he cares for you, and because of that, he’s angry. Very angry.” Caldon paused. “To be honest, I’m right there with him. But one of us has to keep things civil, and given his feelings for you, I doubt he’s going to be putting on his princely airs today. So just . . . be gentle with him.”