Page 13 of The Rose in the Shadows

“I wanted to apologize to you,” Lorelai called from behind me, clearing her throat to get my attention. “About the Council meeting, I mean. I understand that process can be… uncomfortable.”

I grimaced. Uncomfortable was a word for it.

“You did what your king asked of you.” I shrugged. “I can’t begrudge you for that.”

She nodded. “Still, I pushed you harder than I’ve ever done before. You were very strong.”

Just then, a knock at the door echoed. It was a commanding sound, knuckles pounding out fiercely against the wooden frame. Ruthie jumped in surprise, cursing at losing her place in the measurements. Our guest didn’t wait to be invited, holding off only long enough for us to be aware of his presence before the door opened and Clayton walked in.

His tunic was darker today, but finely tailored with velvet trim and a golden cloak. Leather trousers, which left very little to the imagination, were tucked into polished boots. His hair was as perfectly combed as the day before, and his mood was just as grim. Guards didn’t follow him, but I could feel their presence outside my doors. He acknowledged the others first, nodding at Lorelai and Ruthie and walking to kiss Iris on the cheek before finally meeting my gaze.

I couldn't remember for sure, but I doubted that I'd ever seen eyes as intense as Clayton Vail's.

Slowly, purposefully, I dropped my gaze, bowing my head slightly in an acknowledging nod. He waited for a moment before he finally did the same.

“Clay.” Iris greeted him with a warm smile that spoke to their familiarity. “To what do we owe the pleasure, cousin?”

He cleared his throat, folding his arms firmly across his chest and standing tall. “I’m here on business, I’m afraid. I’ll have to steal our new princess from you ladies this afternoon.”

Instinctively, I glanced at Iris, who had become my go-to source for information, but her face was just as confused as mine. Ruthie huffed behind us, forcing her materials back into her case.

“Why, that is just like you, Royals,” she grumbled. “Always so busy, so many places to be. You drag me out here only to run off before the work is done.”

I frowned, watching as she hobbled towards the door and glared at me over her shoulder. I scoffed slightly as she pressed herself past me. How she blamed me for rushing her out was beyond me. After all, I hadn’t brought her here, and I certainly had made no afternoon arrangements with Clayton. Still, she muttered curses to herself about wasted time and energy before remarking how lucky I was that she had a good eye for size and detail. Iris sighed and pinched the bridge between her nose.

“I assure you, you will be paid handsomely for your endeavors,” Clayton promised Ruthie, eyes sparkling with amusement.

She grumbled as she left, but only the Gods could have understood what she said.

“I better go after her,” Lorelai sighed, standing and hurrying towards the door. “I still need to convince her to make me something for the Peace Ball.”

Lorelai grabbed my hand as she passed by, giving me a slight squeeze and an encouraging smile as she left. It was asmall gesture, but I returned her pressure. Neither Lorelai nor I enjoyed what happened in the Council chamber, but it had somehow bonded us. She understood what she put me through, and I understood the position the Dragon had placed her in. Neither of us had a say in the matter, and thus, I had made one more friend.

As I turned my attention back to Clayton, I sighed audibly. His attention on me was overbearing, despite the fact that his expression didn’t betray an ounce of his emotions or thoughts. For a moment, he reminded me of the portraits of Zion I had seen, commanding and authoritative. He seemed every inch the warrior he descended from, even as he stood here in his fine clothing and palace.

I folded my hands behind my back and looked at him expectantly, knowing better than to speak out of turn.

“We owe the Kingdom an explanation for what happened on the bridge,” he told me, his words firm and clipped. “This afternoon, we will hold a court meeting where the Dragon will present you to the public. We’ll need you to assure them of your motives in our country.”

“My motives?” I questioned.

He smirked. “To complete the Council, of course.”

I chewed my lip nervously. “Shouldn’t you confirm that’s what I want?”

Clayton's stormy eyes darkened as he looked down at me. “Frankly, what you want, Miss Moore, is of no consequence to me. We’re allowing you to walk through this castle, stay in these rooms, and continue breathing air. So you will do as the crown tells you to.”

“Of course,” I muttered, ignoring the shiver of discomfort that settled in my stomach.

I probably should have expected this after what Iris had told me the night before. The Dragon wanted to show that he hadthe last Descendant of Hyrax and would have the only complete Council as soon as possible. I was officially a figurehead in his political game. It didn’t matter if he trusted me; he didn’t need to. Not really.

“I don’t know what happened on the bridge,” I reminded him. “How can I give an explanation to anyone?”

“There’s no need to worry about that,” he assured me. “A speech has already been provided for you.”

Not just a girl to parade around then, a puppet.

Clayton took stock of the dresses around us, gazing over each one quickly with a calculating expression. Iris followed his eyes as he scanned over each gown, but she was silent, choosing not to offer her opinion. Her silence left me uneasy. For Iris not to offer her opinion on the dresses meant this meeting was such an official matter that not even she, the Crown Prince’s beloved cousin, was important enough to contribute her thoughts.

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