Page 53 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

“Right. Melanie and I are ready to schedule the mock dinner. If I invite our guests”—she grinned again, crossing her arms—“do you think you’ll be able to show up?”

“Of course. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to waste your time.”

“It’s fine.” She tapped her fingernails against her arm. “I’d give you a hug, but I won’t.”

A laugh bubbled past my lips. “I understand. See you later.”

And I tucked into my room, shutting the door behind me and laying back against it with a sigh. Right. The presentation. I couldn’t pretend like that would just magically disappear. Even if I spent my days with Temi imagining a different life, one where I chose my own destiny. Even if Valerian—I cut that thought off. I sucked in a breath. A bath. A bath would make me feel better.

18

Apollo

I lay back against the paneled walls of our suite and crossed my arms as Temi emerged from the washroom. “Where have you been all day?”

She laughed. “I’ve been busy. How about you?”

“I’ve also been busy.” The buttery lilac of early evening light draped itself around the intricate tiles and gleaming furnishings of the room. “I went into the city with Hyacinth. You’d approve.”

She eased onto a settee. “Good job. I’m so proud.”

I dropped beside her, causing her to bounce, and clasped my hand over her knee. “Oh, look. The words I live for.”

“You need to find a new purpose.”

“I’ve found one.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”

“Come to the city with me and Hyacinth tonight?”

She circled her thumb over a layer of the gossamer fabric of her dress. “What are you up to?”

“Why do you assume I’m up to anything?”

She glowered.

I huffed a breath. “Hyacinth showed me his perspective on his city today—the parading peacock he is—and I promised to give him a different viewpoint.”

“I’m not sure I like the sound of this.”

“Come anyway?”

She frowned and grazed her fingers down her gown. “Do I need to change into something less noticeable?”

“Definitely.”

“All right.” She stood and walked towards her room. “I’ll go.”

A few minutes later, we met Hyacinth in his office. He crossed his arms, his hazel eyes darting between the two of us.

“First things first.” I gestured at the burgundy and gold of the fabric swathed around him. “Lose the robe. We don’t want to stand out.”

He clicked his tongue. “Have you considered that I’m going to stand out, regardless? I’m the crowned prince. People in the city know me.”

I wiggled my fingers at him. “I have, but I can mask your appearance.”

His face paled, and he took a step back towards the desk. “You plan to change my looks?”