I glanced at Ericen, who made a point of not catching my eye. This time, I saw the truth beneath his posture. The easy sprawl, the look of constant mild irritation mingling with disgust: it disguised the tension underneath. Why did he look as on edge as I felt? And what exactly was Razel’s game? She was like a shark trying to trick a smaller fish into thinking it was safe.

Razel stood, and the crowd went instantly silent. Soldiers snapped to attention, and every set of eyes settled on the queen. No one so much as whispered. A chill prickled my neck—they looked at her with reverence fit for a goddess.

The queen stared back with a look I recognized. I’d seen it on my mother’s face a thousand times. A delicate blend of strength and a faint protective edge, something almost maternal.

She could level kingdoms and massacre families, but she cared for her people. Either that or she was very good at pretending. Considering she was Illucian, I figured the latter.

“I give thanks to Rhett for this special evening,” she began.

Every Illucian in the room clapped a fist to their heart simultaneously in recognition of their god’s name.

“Not only has my son returned to us, but he’s come with his wife-to-be, Princess Anthia Cerralté of Rhodaire. Please join me in welcoming her.”

Applause sounded, and I tried my best to look bashful and appreciative instead of glaring murderously as everyone’s eyes fell on me.

I felt like I was on display. Like Rhodaire had already been conquered and I was the prize.

“One week from now, we will have a ball in Rhett’s name to commemorate the occasion.”

A murmur spread through the room, and I nearly gagged, hiding it with a cough in my hand. A ball? Imagining the fake smiling Illucian faces and even faker compliments nearly had me sinking under the table.

Did she plan to announce the date of the wedding at the ball? Caliza had said it would occur when Razel wanted, and the idea that it could be sprung upon me at any time made it yet another thing out of my control.

Razel sat back down, and the hum of conversation picked up again. I scanned the faces in the crowd. How many of these people had been involved in Ronoch? How many of them would flaunt it in my face at the ball?

I spent the dinner angled toward Kiva’s side of the room so Razel couldn’t easily get my attention. More than once, lords or ladies came up to the table to pay respects to the queen and be introduced to me so they could offer their congratulations. Some greeted Ericen enthusiastically, others with an air of disinterest. He responded to them all with the same sharp smile and a dangerous gleam in his eye, exchanging stiff pleasantries that sounded like funeral rites.