Lang’s gaze lost its worn-out cast as though a match had been struck behind his eyes. “You are stubborn,” he said, baffled and admiring, both at once.

“As a mule,” I agreed. “Perrault called me a backwater princess. I guess I’ve learned how to dig my heels in.”

Stubborn, and lonely. For home and for my father.

But I kept my forlorn thoughts to myself. My hands still burned from Lang’s grasp. I didn’t need him taking them again.

He shook his head, nodding at the door. “Well, knights have traveled from all over to compete and earn your favor, at the dinner tonight and the tournament tomorrow,” Lang said, lips quirking wryly. “So go forth, my stubborn lady, and win hearts.”

25

The spring night was cool, but the banquet hall was crowded with bodies and hot with lamplight. Lang and Yu scanned the room, muttering to one another.

Perrault eyed the place marker set for me between Bear and Myrddin, huffing. Nonetheless, he was determined not to waste time. As I took my seat, relieved at not being placed near Bertilak, he busied himself pointing out important members of the court to Cobie, Skop, and me. “There’s Lord Bedrawt, second cousin to Prince Bertilak, and his son Lord Bedivere,” Perrault said, nodding at people I couldn’t quite see through the crowd. Then he tipped his chin at a pale man with lank, curling hair and a boy about my age. “And that’s His Grace, the Duke of Cornwall, with his nephew, Tristan.”

Bear’s quiet voice was so close it made me jump. “He goes by Veery.”

A servant reached past us to set dishes on the table. I leaned out of her way, and my bare shoulder brushed Bear’s sleeve. I tried not to notice how well the deep green jacket fit his lithe frame.

“What?” I asked.

He was so near, I’d felt his breath on my cheek.

The guard took a long drink of wine. “Lord Bedivere. Second cousin, once removed, to the prince. I’ve been friends with him for years. Goes by Veery.”

I nodded, poking at my food, but didn’t speak.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Bear said, curious.

My palm was sweating around the posy in my hand. “I’m thinking about flowers,” I said tightly.

I couldn’t read his expression.

Farther down the table, Constantine and Bertilak called out to Yu. “We should get properly acquainted,” Constantine urged. “Please, tell us of Zhōng Guó.”

They were as intrigued by our ship’s doctor as they were bored by our protocol officer. The tables nearby grew quiet to listen as he told his story.

“The floods brought death year after year,” Yu said. “My father stole resources from the government to stanch the waters, and he died fleeing capture. I was discovered on the scene.”

“How old were you?” I asked.