“Precisely,” I say, slipping into a cool mask of regal indifference. That doesn’t stop us from staring at one another for a second too long, energy pulsing between us. Fionn clears his throat, and my cheeks heat this time in embarrassment. I’m suddenly aware that his betrothed, who I find myself liking more and more, sits next to me. Shame courses through my body.

I can’t deny I find the Prince attractive. Any female even slightly interested in males would, with his bright smiles and the dimple on one cheek and the way his dark hair looks so effortlessly swept back from his face and his strong forearms… I shut those thoughts down. I can’t afford to let myself get distracted. He’s still the Velmaran Prince, my enemy, and someone I was literally plotting to kill just days ago. Am still plotting to kill. From this point forward, I vow to smother any notice of his features. I’m getting the information I need from him, then getting rid of him. I push down the queasiness I feel at the idea of having Prince Hawthorne, or even worse, Silene, killed. I tip my chin higher, determined to stick to the plan and stop getting sidetracked. My people deserve a Queen who puts them first and doesn’t get distracted by dimples and winks.

“I’ll set the date of the ball with my Council tomorrow so you can inform the rebels of when to prepare for the breakout,” I say, the words coming out awkward and stilted.

“And do you have a plan for how to actually get the rebels out of the palace?” Silene asks, apparently unaffected by the blatant flirting between the Prince and me. “We might be able to sneak them out of prison without notice, but this is a big palace. It will be challenging to march them through the halls and to a group of rebels waiting for them outside.”

“I have a plan. I’ll tell you about it in due time.” I’m not yet ready to trust them with information about the secret passage out of the prison.

“We need to plan—” Silene starts.

“I said I’ll tell you about it at the right time,” I say fiercely. For the second time in this conversation, she winces. Guilt swims through my gut, but I push it down, reminding myself that she’s the future daughter-in-law of King Mazus. And that I will have to make difficult decisions in the near future about her. As the tension lingers between us, I aerstep away.