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I took in the council members who moved to stand in front of the table as we approached.
The men all wore formal wear accented with colors befitting their bloodline, matching their partners’ dresses.
Ezra’s mother, Amra, stood next to Cornaith. She wore a deep Aegean blue gown with an exposed neckline and a sculpted satin bodice that dissolved into layers of glittering lace over the dark blue A-line skirt beneath. The same shimmering lace draped from her arms.
On Amra’s other side, Lymsrana stood next to Ardvaen in a deep crimson fitted dress covered in a layer of black mesh that hugged every curve before spilling into a soft, sweeping flare at her feet. The mesh extended over her chest and arms, creating an elegant, high neckline that reached her jaw.
The last couple to round the table and join them were Zeke’s parents, Rhistel and Caendra Alakai.
I hadn’t seen them since Cholian, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to see them now after Zeke revealed what they’d allowed Cornaith to do to him.
Caendra’s pale blue satin gown skimmed her body, while sheer chiffon cascaded from one shoulder to the floor in a long, flowing, cape-like train. The dress was minimalist compared to the other women’s, but its elegance didn’t soften her when I knew what she’d done.
What parent in their right mind allowed someone to abuse their son? I’d have caught charges if it were my child.
Ash bent his head to whisper in my ear, “Why are you glaring at Zeke’s mom?”
I shook my head, schooling my expression, understanding a little why Ash wore his mask.
It was hard to be around some of these people, knowing the truth behind their smiles and glittering gowns. I began to trust Amra and Lymsrana, and I was still on the fence about Ardvaen—he hadn’t seemed hostile after he learned the truth.
But Cornaith and Zeke’s parents? Fuck them.
I noticed Caendra’s eyes glittering under the light when her gaze caught mine, but she turned her head before I could think too much of it.
Cornaith’s shrewd eyes examined me from head to toe. He nodded his approval and stood. All conversation stopped as he motioned for us to come and stand next to them.
“Thank you for joining us for our annual Divine Fortune Ball,” Cornaith began, holding his arms out with the same dramatic flourish he’d used in Cholian at my televised execution. “Tonight is a special occasion, as I’m sure you’re all aware. Fate has finally brought home my son’s Nyrith, paving the way to a prosperous future for Elyrdin and a continuance of the council’s most powerful bloodline.”
I noticed how he didn’t mention the other guys as they stood at my side in silence, awaiting whatever spectacle Cornaith had in store.
The sapphires. The dress. His words. Ezra’s position next to me.
Cornaith had intended from the start to frame this in a way that elevated his son’s status in the eyes of the Elyrdin people.
I startled out of my thoughts when Ezra wrapped an arm around my waist, his hand sliding up my arm. When he reached my shoulder, his grip turned firm. I looked up at him in question.
He bent his head, turning so the back of it faced the room as he came mere inches from my lips. “I won’t do it. Just pretend.” His lips almost brushed mine, and I tasted the faint alcohol on his breath.
What did he mean?
His hand slid up the side of my neck as he angled his head again, his glacial eyes boring so deeply into mine that I started to pant. Memories of the night he came to my room two weeks ago surfaced, intensifying the effect of his proximity.
“What’s happening?”
With all the people in the room watching and his parents right behind us, I didn’t understand why Ezra was acting like this. He never touched me. Affection wasn’t his way. He’d certainly never kissed me.
His thumb stroked my cheek as he moved away from my mouth, and I shivered when his lips brushed the shell of my ear. “Father wanted to show the people our bond.”
Oh.
He was pretending to kiss me.
It was all an act.
Why did the truth disappoint me?
“A perfect bond,” Cornaith said as everyone clapped.
