The Prince shrugged but did not step back or even flinch. “Mark my words, Sister, one way or another . . . you will be the reason you fail. Either because you’re planning your betrayal as well or because you’re too stupid to call a leader.”

The doors on the other side of the throne room flew open. Sweyn’s sentinels stomped inside. Sweyn snarled in their direction. The moment she took her eyes off the Prince, he spun and marched for the door — right next to me. I cursed and pressed my back to the wall even though he couldn’t see me and prayed it stayed that way.

My prayers were ignored.

The moment the Prince stormed through the doorway and feet hit the marble of the hall, his yellow gaze snapped right in my direction. Those cat-like vertical pupils widened, and his nostrils flared for a second before he recaptured his composure. I pressed my hands to the marble behind me for support yet the sweat on my palms caused them to slip. He narrowed his eyes on me. I pushed my shoulders back into the cold wall and held my chin high, meeting his eyes with what I hoped was courage and confidence.

“Tsk . . . tsk . . . tsk.” He pursed his lips and shook his head as he stepped forward, stopping only when the toes of his boots hit mine. The heat of his skin washed over me, carrying the subtle scent of cinnamon. Everest. He’d been attacked by my uncle, which explained his outrage. He leaned forward, resting one hand on the wall above my head then dipped his head down to meet my eyes. “Was our resident daughter of darkness spying?”

I swallowed my rattled nerves and held his stare. I could not let him sniff out my weakness or my allegiance. “What a poor spy I would be if this was the extent of my trickery?” I gestured to the open doorway a foot from my face.

He leaned down until there was merely an inch between our faces. “And yet you listened.”

“And yet you left the door wide open.” I licked my lips and his gaze tracked the movement. My pulse quickened. I liked his attention on my body a little too much for my liking. “Poor planning on your part does not require action on mine.”

He chuckled softly, his breath sweeping over my face, it smelled like a honey glazed doughnut and made my mouth water. “And what does the daughter of darkness think of what she heard? Does it bother you to hear me speak so poorly of your former betrothed and your Queen?”