Osinea isn’t shown, but that’s understandable since no one has ever crossed the Trench of Arborlow. In the shadows, the people in all the kingdoms seem to move as if they’re sentient. As if, while I stare up at them, they stare back at me.

I’m only pulled away as the music begins. Lachlan stands in front of long tables and holds his hand high. Idalia is at his side, beaming in all her beauty. As I approach, I see his forehead twitching, and he pulls on his earlobe.

“If I may have your attention,” he says, but the space is filled with too many cheers. He swallows and tries again. “Aeradian, it is my great pleasure…”

“Everyone, be quiet!” Theodore bellows. Silence falls.

Lachlan flashes his sister a grateful grin and then addresses the room.

“Because the gods have honored us so greatly, so plentifully these last few seasons, we take great pride in giving honor back. Tonight’s feast shall be held in the Lady’s and the Guard’s good names. We eat to give thanks; we give thanks because we can eat.” His voice quavers as he takes a long look around the room before nodding. “Uh, that’s it. Thank you.” Despite his wavering confidence, his people dispatch loud applause.

At our table, servers lean down and ask us what we’d like to eat. Directly across, Theodore and Idalia are already drinking wine and laughing.

“The herbed salmon,” Lachlan requests, looking to me next. I’ve never ordered food like this before. In my castle, food is presented, and I eat it without question. Before I can even think of what I want, the server leans closer and whispers to his King.

“The Princess Idalia asks that you order for her. She said that whatever you wish for her to eat, she will. She also said she looks forward to learning what you recommend.”

Lachlan’s hands shake as he stammers incoherent words to the server.

A ball of nerves, this one.

I lean forward, place a steady hand over his, and smile. “Do you have any mutton?”

“Yes, Your Highness. We have whatever you wish.”

“Good,” I say. “Bring her that, and make sure that it’s seasoned with coriander and turmeric.”

Lachlan slumps in relief.

“Right away. And Your Highness?”

I wink and nod at the King. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

After waiting a short amount of time, Lachlan starts on his recently delivered salmon with a small groan of delight.

When Idalia receives her dish and the scents waft up to her nose, she releases a sigh of pleasure. When she takes her first bite, her eyes light up. But not for me. For him.

“How did you know?” She asks with a euphoric smile. “The gods surely have brought me to you,” she praises, taking another bite.