I scowled at him, and his grin spread wider. He pulled me tight against his body, lifting my weight so that when he moved, I became an extension of him, and the stumbles of my clumsy feet were lost under the flutter of my skirts.
We floated around the room with unexpected grace as he led me in a series of spins, to which the crowd responded with cooing and frequent applause. Aemonn took every opportunity to make use of his dazzling smile as my frown turned deeper and deeper.
“You’re supposed to be enjoying this, not looking like you’re plotting to stab me in my sleep,” he said beneath his breath.
“I’ve never been a very good liar,” I said flatly.
“What happened to ‘thank you, Aemonn’？ And ‘I won’t forget your kindness, Aemonn’？”
My eyes narrowed. “That was when you were being nice. The moment we stepped in front of a crowd, you turned into just another pompous fake, lying about how close we are to look important.”
He laughed harshly and shook his head. “You’re welcome, Diem.”
“For what? Pretending to be the father of my unborn children? Thinking you can trick me into marrying you?”
“For shutting off speculation about who else might be in your bed,” he snapped. “If everyone here believes you have committed to me, there’s no reason for them to go snooping after any other lovers you might have, is there?”
My irritation faltered. He had a point—after his display in front of House Benette, not a single person had asked about my love life. And with the way he continued to paw at me and make claims on our future, it was unlikely anyone ever would.
For a young, unknown Queen, marrying a well-connected Corbois Prince would be expected. Welcomed. Unquestioned.
I knew Aemonn’s behavior was calculated. I hadn’t considered it might be calculated for me.
“I think you’re beautiful, Diem, and interesting, and fiery, and many other qualities I seek in a wife, but I’m not trying to trick you into marrying me. I would prefer to spend my life with someone who enjoys my company.”
“Aemonn, I didn’t mean—”
“I’ve also spared you a few hundred drooling suitors who would be swarming you tonight if they weren’t afraid of crossing me. So again… you’re welcome.”
I chewed guiltily on my lip. “Fine. I might have overreacted.”
He shot me a look, and I rolled my eyes, though a smile toyed at my lips. “Thank you, Aemonn,” I repeated. “I won’t forget your kindness, Aemonn.”
We shared a laugh, and the tension between us eased as we danced in pleasant silence. I begrudgingly had to confess that, with a dance partner like Aemonn, I was actually starting to enjoy myself. I didn’t even put up a fight when he took my arms and looped them around his neck, then ran his fingers in circles along my back.
“Diem?”
“Hmm?”
“What did you ask Luther to do?”
My body went stiff.
“Nothing,” I rushed out.
He gave me a hard look. “I helped you back there with that mortal, didn’t I? I at least deserve to know what I was helping you with.”
I pulled away, nearly tripping and falling backward in the process. Aemonn’s hands caught me and locked me in place.
“He—I—Luther made sure Henri got home safely,” I stammered, looking down to hide the lie.
“And he needed the Umbros Descended for that?”
I grimaced. “Um, I think it was a cover.” My mind raced for a plausible excuse. “I’m not certain, uh, perhaps he—”
The music ended, and a smattering of applause rose from the crowd. I yanked out of Aemonn’s grip and, in a panic, dropped into a curtsy.
A familiar snort rang out over my shoulder. I whipped around, spotting Taran in the throng, and gripped his arm. “Dance with me,” I hissed. “Queen’s orders.”
“Whatever you say, Your Majesty.” He smirked at Aemonn and swept me to the center of the dance floor, taking both hands and spinning me until I was woozy. “Dancing with my brother was that bad, huh?”
“No,” I admitted. “He’s growing on me. There’s a nice guy under there somewhere.”
Taran grunted and looked away, his expression uncharacteristically cold. The rancorous history between the brothers was something more than mere sibling rivalry. There was a too-sharp edge to every taunt that seemed designed to stab, rather than poke.
Though dark clouds lingered in his eyes, he rolled his shoulders and flashed me a wicked look. “I heard you threw a punch at old lady Hanoverre.”
My jaw hung open. “Is that what people are saying?”
“I heard you made her get down on her knees and beg for your forgiveness.”
“What!? No, gods, there was nothing like—”
“Then I heard you kicked Iléana right in the tits. The left one.”
“Alright, now I know you’re lying.”
“And then you pulled Jean’s pants down so everyone could see his tiny—”
“Taran,” I shouted, laughing.
“Wishful thinking?” he asked. I slugged him in the ribs, and he took the blow with a grin. “Just wanted to make sure this place hasn’t stolen your ability to laugh yet.”
A bittersweet gratitude filled my chest, and I pulled him close in a fierce hug. Our constant banter reminded me so much of my relationship with Teller. Though no one could ever take my brother’s place, it gave my wounded soul some peace to know that when the terrible day arrived for Teller’s mortal life to end, I might have someone in this world who could ease the void of comradery his loss would leave behind.
“They’re definitely going to Challenge me now,” I mumbled glumly into his chest.
He squeezed me tighter. “We’ll keep training. There’s still time.”
I pulled back to offer some smart-ass quip and stopped short when I saw his stormy expression had worsened.
“Taran, what’s wrong?”
He frowned. “You’re not really going to go through with this betrothal, are you?”
The blood drained from my face. Had Luther told him about Henri? He said Taran knew all his secrets, but Luther would never betray my trust like this—would he?
“It’s… it’s my choice,” I sputtered.
“I know,” he rushed out, “and I respect that.” He sighed. “But the thought of him on the throne…”
Shit. He did know about Henri.
“I didn’t expect you to be so prejudiced,” I said defensively. “I thought you were above all that.”
“He’s manipulating you. He just wants to be King—surely you see that.”
By the Flames—Luther had told him everything.
My anger flared to life. I pulled out of his grip and glared at him, ignoring the pairs of dancers that whirled around us. “This is none of your business, Taran.”
“I’m just looking out for you, Queenie. I know you think you can find some good in him, but he’s a selfish prick. He doesn’t deserve you.”
I dropped my voice to a low hiss. “I know it looks like Henri only agreed to marry me to become King, but I’ve known him my whole life, so don’t you dare presume to—”