Or maybe, Emry thought with a disparaging sigh, it was simply that he wished her to feel inferior, dressed as shabbily as she was in the royal court. Well, shabby would have to do, because she wasn’t wasting precious coin on a set of fancy boy’s clothing.

She’d spent the afternoon working on a particularly potent potion, and no matter what spells she tried, the spicy scent of magic wasn’t coming out of her doublet. She stared at the girls who encircled Gawain, with their glossy hair twisted into intricate plaits, dressed in delicate silk and perfumed like flowers.

Must be nice, smiling at a boy and having him smile back in appreciation.

She let her imagination wander, wishing she were here at the castle as herself, that she had dressed for supper in a fine gown, braiding her hair and dabbing rose salve on her lips. But even then, she still wouldn’t belong. She never did.

She forced herself to look closer at the courtiers, taking in the painful lacing of their gowns, the desperation in their charms. The way they tripped over each other to vie for Gawain’s affection. Perhaps they weren’t as content as she had assumed, either.

“If you’re trying to catch a girl’s attention, there are more effective ways to do it than lurking pensively in corridors,” Arthur said mildly, coming up behind her.

He looked even more handsome than he had from afar. His circlet glinted in the candlelight, and up close, Emry could see the golden threads woven through his sleeves. He shot her a teasing grin, leaning one shoulder against the wall.

“Oh, please give me dating advice,” she said. “I’ll pay special attention to the part about being royal and waiting for girls to shove each other out of the way.”

Arthur shrugged, but didn’t deny it. “Listen, we need to talk.”

Emry’s stomach twisted. “Is—is something wrong?” she asked, trying not to sound alarmed.

Arthur glanced around at the crowded hallway. “It’s a matter best discussed in private. Walk with me to the library?”

Emry swallowed and nodded, trying to slow her racing pulse.

It was a short walk, yet the entire time, her heart felt as though it might leap from her chest. She kept replaying Arthur’s ominous words over and over. We need to talk.

She doubted it was about anything good.

What if he had discovered her deception? Was it possible he’d waited until their return from Avalon so that he could confront her in private? She watched him carefully, trying to gauge his mood.

He looked exhausted, and frustrated, and overwhelmed, but that could mean anything.

“Well?” Emry asked nervously after they’d settled into the library.

The prince sighed. “I meant to talk to you about this sooner,” he began.