“Nothing is going to happen between here and our room, Jaren,” she said, relaxing into his chest and breathing him in. His earthy scent swirled around her, instantly calming her mind and settling the dull throb in her head. She smiled into his tunic when he scoffed.

“Veralie,” he said, somehow making it sound more like a warning than her name.

“Hm?”

“Do you actually expect me to let you out of my sight after everything he just said in there? After he just tried to take—”

“Yes,” she said, pulling back to gaze up into his dark, angry eyes. “I promise it’ll be fine. I’m not going to marry some attractive, Magyki noble on the way to my room.”

He growled, imprinting his fingers into her hips.

“Just let them talk to you. The faster you listen, the faster you can catch up with me.” She pushed up onto her toes to press a soft kiss to his unmoving lips. “And if you’re nice, I’ll let you do whatever you want to my dress.”

He hummed against her lips and kissed her back before tipping his forehead down to hers, sighing. “The things I do for you, little star.”

Desperately trying to ignore the fact that she’d just hinted about having sex with him in front of his fathers, she huffed a laugh and stepped back, taking her shoes from his hand.

Then, before he could talk himself out of it and attach himself to her hip, she turned, following a cackling Reniya down the hall.

* * *

She stared at Reniya’s back as they made their way through the palace, waiting until they were far enough away to avoid Jaren eavesdropping.

“I know you didn’t run into Jaeros, Reni.” It didn’t make sense. Dedryn had sent her home for the night. There would’ve been no reason for her to have been doing rounds as she’d claimed.

“Technically, I never said where I ran into him.”

True. “Did you come because of me, or because you found out Taeral would be there?” Because if there was anyone Reniya didn’t trust, it was her aunt.

“The better question, oh Daughter,” she said, clearly deflecting, “is, are you excited for dance lessons and script in the morning?”

Vera groaned. “Don’t remind me, my head hurts just thinking about it.”

Reniya threw her arms out, cackling, “The proper way to eat a meal in front of fancy people.”

She groaned again, rubbing at her temples. Is that really what Vesstan planned on having her do? For years? He wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that he was buying himself time.

“Whining is unbecoming of you, Your Highness.”

She glared at her friend’s back. “Apparently everything about me is unbecoming. If Vesstan could trade me out for someone else and still retain the connection he needs, he’d do it in a heartbeat.”

Reniya glanced back at her, a brow raised. “He’s preparing you to take your mother’s place. Are you saying you believe you’re ready to do so now?”