Page 17 of Tides of Shadows

He tilted his head, his eyes a little drunk. When he smiled, a chill ran over my skin.

“Almost as fair as you,” he murmured. “Though I confess I would rather see you without that gown.”

His hand slid over my waist, too bold, too sure. His glance grew dull with wine.

My eyes flared wide. I stood rooted.

“You overreach yourself,” I said, and stepped away.

“I think not.” He came forward. “You walked here with me of your own will. Do not pretend you have a great choice. Everyone knows why you came to White City.” He looked down at his emerald signet, then added with scorn, “Your Family’s trade wanes, you seek a rich Lord. But I won’t deny it, nights with you might repay an empty dowry.”

I thought I would kill him. He was so brazen, so certain, I scarcely believed he spoke it aloud.

In the next instant he sprang at me, clutching at my backside and my breasts.

“No,” I snarled, and thrust him away hard.

“Do not pretend you don’t want this.” His voice rasped with wine and lust. “You will find none better than me. You should be grateful.” He seized my wrist and tried to draw me close.

I was done with the courtesy. The inevitable neared. I stepped back and drove my elbow into his nose with all my strength.

“Ahh!” he howled as blood burst forth.

He reeled back, hands to his face, and his shout rang through the garden.

“You bitch!” he roared. “You are nothing. Your beggar Family can forget its future. You broke my nose. You will crawl to me yet, on your knees, begging favor!”

I met him with fury and contempt.

So much, then, for my chances of finding a husband among the lords.

As I turned to leave, a familiar figure burst onto the path.

Aidenar Cavareth. Shirt unbuttoned, messy hair, face slick with sweat. He appeared as if he himself had attempted some assault. The irony that I should encounter him here.

He halted and looked from me to Magnus. He was trying to comprehend what had happened, and his silver eyes held a strange seriousness I’d never seen in him before.

“Are you all right?” he asked, and there was a thread of care in his voice. It did not match the careless tone he used whenever he teased me.

“Fuck off Cavareth,” Magnus snarled, shouldering past him before storming toward the palace, cursing under his breath.

I was left between Aidenar and the empty alley.

“To be honest,” I sighed, “I don’t know.”

At that moment, one of Velena’s friends came running around the corner. Her dress was unbuttoned, her hair disheveled, and her lips red from kissing.

“Aidenar! Are you here?” she called, feigning amusement, though her gaze betrayed something else.

I fixed my stare upon her, then him. He… to my surprise, appeared embarrassed, as if suddenly aware of how it looked.

I rolled my eyes.

“You are all alike,” I said coldly and passed him without another word.

I walked the length of the park. To reach my chambers I had to return by the garden to the Inner Court. The lanterns still flickered, the couples still danced, the laughter of the nobility had no end. I felt the stares, heard the hushed remarks, felt my name beginning to circle from lip to lip.

I longed only for my bed and a closed door. Then the first drops fell from the sky. Rain. I stood in the midst of the garden and cared nothing. I loved the rain.