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She was furious now. She was clearly used to people cowering before her. And if she had grabbed him in a dark alley, knife to his heart, he’d probably have already pissed himself.
But she was an utter novice at the subtler arts.
“Tell them to cut me down, Princess, if that is your intention,” he said, his voice far more confident than he actually felt. “I am sure you have permission from your king to do so. Just as he surely gave you permission to follow us on arrival and defile the diplomatic seal? And just as your brother must surely be aware of all this, and is preparing his troops for the war that will follow my death?”
“Don’t you dare talk to me about—” she hissed, eyes narrowing, before stopping herself.
Talking about Calix appears to have infuriated her. Interesting...
Impotent fury radiated from the princess. Her cheeks looked hot enough to roast lamb.
At last, she gave a dismissive flick of her hand, and the goons stepped back, resheathing their weapons.
Stifling a relieved exhale, Aurelius approached her, the air thick with her hatred.
He held out two scrolls—the credentials of himself and Teigra.
Zosime reached for them, but he pulled them back. “My folio?”
Her jaw clenched, and Aurelius knew that her darting eyes contained the admission that she hadn’t even bothered to make copies, so confident had she been.
It took all his effort not to snort.
At last, she shoved the folio into his chest and yanked the scrolls away. “I’ll be watching you, Herald!”
Aurelius gave a wink, drumming his fingers on the leather. “And I you, Princess.”
The doors opened, and he tucked the documents into his toga before Securia could see them. “Credentials accepted,” he said, matter-of-factly, pushing down the racing of his heart and launching into a quick walk.
Securia’s eyes darted to the side of his head as she met his pace. She wanted to know everything. Of course she did.
But she won’t beg, even if the curiosity is killing her.
He was right, and the two of them marched in silence back down the corridor.
As they departed, Aurelius felt a strange urge to take one more glance out of the window overlooking the feasting grounds.
His pulse, only just quietened, pounded back to full rhythm as he did so.
Prince Calix was standing on the balcony opposite—his arms astride the balustrade, just as they’d been against him in the bathhouse.
His honeyed eyes stared right into him.
His gaze was as intense as the bronze moon itself.
33
TEIGRA
Teigra emerged into the sunlit courtyard. The morning air was warm and scented with the earthy aroma of crocus.
It was the morning after Aurelius and Ms. Securia had visited the palace. Apparently, their credentials had been accepted, although she hadn’t yet had the chance to hear so directly from Aurelius. He hadn’t returned with Ms. Securia, coming back instead well after dark—closer to dawn really, when she’d been awake in bed out of early morning habit.
She’d wanted to run down and ask him all that had happened. Whether his wandering vigor had acted up at the palace. Whether his three days of abstinence had paid off. To just sit on his bed and run through the events of the day, as they so often had.
But she hadn’t. Just like she had only managed a few words in passing to him before he left for the palace.
Ms. Securia’s words still burned in her ears. She’d already used enough chances and taken enough risks. It was a miracle that she hadn’t been punished even more strictly! Now, there was no option for her. Now, she had to obey.
