Razel knew people’s names and asked after their families. They glowed beneath her attentions, but their exchanges felt fake—stiff and formal, like soldiers to a commander. Not like when my mother or Caliza spoke to people, where a true camaraderie existed.

The nobles’ smiles turned to half-concealed sneers when they addressed me.

“I’m sure you’re happy to get out of that abhorrent heat.”

“How gracious of our queen to extend a peaceful hand during your time of struggle.”

“Nice scars.”

My head snapped up, but the soldier who’d spoken was already bowing to Razel. I stared him down. He flashed me a haughty smile before stepping from the dais, his movements languid. My gaze followed him back to his table, where he sat beside the guard whose ribs I’d broken with the torch during our journey, slinging his arm across his shoulders.

Great.

“Making friends already, I see,” Ericen mused. His gaze had followed the blond boy back to his seat, and it rested there as if he might freeze him in ice with sheer willpower.

I fell back into my chair. “Are all your noblemen so pleasant?”

“Only the ones who don’t know their place.” The bite in his tone hinted at a larger history, but he smoothed it over with another smile. The ease with which he melded one expression into another made my stomach turn.

Barely a day in, and I already wanted to leave. It took several deep breaths and a reminder of what I’d come for, of the alliances I intended to build, to help me through the rest of dinner.

* * *

By the time Kiva and I returned to the room, I was exhausted. Not only from the long trip and night of talking, but from keeping every thought that crossed my mind sealed inside. More than once, I’d been forced to lie through my teeth to different lords and ladies about how gracious Razel was for having me, how lucky I was to be marrying into such a prestigious family, and what a great alliance this was for our kingdoms. I wanted to scrub my mouth out.

The quiet voice of the coiled snake whispered for me to go to bed, to hide, to wait for someone else to act from under the safety of my bed sheets. Fear I might give in swirled in the pit of my stomach, but I ignored them both. I could handle this.

“I have to say, I’m impressed.” Kiva threw herself onto one of the couches before the fire.

“With what?” I flopped onto the one farthest from the flames. Thankfully, the fire had already started to die.

“I’ve never seen you curb your tongue like that. Your face was so impassive, you almost looked like Caliza.”