Jaren growled, his grip like iron around her leg while his other fisted over the table. “I suggest you take care of how you speak to the Daughter to the Throne. You have seen with your own eyes that her skill exceeds many here, even without her abilities or the teachings of a Magyki.”

Taeral pushed off the table, half standing, but Vesstan wrapped a large hand around her bicep and yanked her back down. A warning look from him had her snapping her mouth shut.

“I understand your urge to defend your charge, young Barilias,” Vesstan said, “but you would do well to remember that any conversation tonight does not stand in place of her official crowning ceremony.”

His charge? Gods, at this rate, they’d never make it to the end of the night before Jaren launched himself across the table at one of them.

She snatched up a glass and took a healthy sip of wine. Fuck, she missed ale.

Chapter 25

VERA

The stilted conversation throughout their meal was no better, and she’d officially downed enough wine that her head was beginning to feel fuzzy around the edges.

Vesstan had asked every manner of question about Aleron, the makeup of the Matherin capital, what form of training the guards received, and Emperor Sulian, himself.

With each unhelpful answer she gave, he grew more agitated, his brows drawn and his tone clipped. Finally, after he asked yet another question about Prince Eithan, she set her glass down, harder than she’d intended.

“I don’t know, Your Majesty. I told you, I wasn’t allowed to leave the training grounds. I only walked through the palace once, and the only time I ever spoke to Emperor Sulian was when he was lying to my face about who I am.”

His lips thinned. “You only met his heir once, as well?”

Only years of training under Elric kept her from rolling her eyes. What was his obsession with her relationship with Eithan? “No,” she said, tossing her napkin over her plate. As amazing as the food had been, she was too irritated to take another bite.

“I met him on a few occasions, but I didn’t know him if that’s what you keep implying. Emperor Sulian wished to marry me off to him, but I ran away that same night.”

“Interesting.”

His favorite word, apparently.

“And what of your abilities? Young Barilias claimed you connected to the crystal, which I’m inclined to believe despite the fantastical nature of the idea, due to your appearance.”

She looked to Jaren, wishing she could climb in his lap and curl up against his chest. He’d had the same questions once upon a time, but he’d never once made her feel like she was being interrogated. She’d still felt like a person. Important.

Jaren’s eyes flared, speaking the words he couldn’t say. Her chest warmed, and she straightened her spine, preparing herself for her father’s incoming look of disgust.

“I have them, yes. But I can’t really control them.”