Page 73 of The Heir's Bargain

I thought he was courting that one soldier.

Did she stand him up?

This is why nobility should not court soldiers. Soldiers are meant to rule the field; they know nothing about court etiquette.

My sister owes me ten shillings.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I rubbed my temples as I took a swig of the wine. The alcohol was a relief for only a moment before the nausea returned, though.

When I opened my eyes, my gaze locked onto Terin. He stood beside Riley, his arm casually draped across his shoulder. Terin had been fawning after Riley for months. I couldn't say I blamed him. I might have preferred women, but I could appreciate an attractive man when I saw one. And Riley was good-looking. I had heard one too many times how mesmerizing his eyes were. Especially once Terin had drunk a glass or two of whiskey. Every cliché that existed passed through Terin's thoughts before I could block him out.

My brother met my gaze, and his smile faltered. I instinctively reached out to him.

She'll come, he said down the line.

I gnawed on my lip and nodded back.

Terin returned his attention to Riley and Lukas. Normally, I would have been with them, laughing, drinking wine, and finding the next woman I wanted to spin around the room. But as the crown dug into the top of my head, I didn't feel like doing any of those things.

A gentle hand landed on my shoulder, and my heart jumped. When I spun around to see who it was, I was only greeted with disappointment.

My mother smiled at the northern lord. "Lord Alabas, a pleasure. May I have a private word with my son?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," the lord said, bowing low. He spun on his heel, a waft of plum smacking me in the nose. His head swiveled as he searched for his next victim.

I should have been thankful for my mother's interference. Lord Alabas would talk nonstop to anyone who stood still for more than a second. Once he started talking, it was hard to get him to stop. Yet when my mother quirked a brow at me, I knew I had traded one dreaded conversation for another.

With her blonde hair knotted at the base of her neck and each strand perfectly in its place, she was the picture of calm and control. In the light, her pale purple dress appeared white. Amethysts and brilliant clear crystals covered the top of the chiffon fabric that then spilled onto the floor.

In the window behind her, I saw my own reflection: the ends of my hair were sticking up in different directions. Tugging my hair was a nervous habit I had developed as a child, one I would need to break when I became king.

Kings were never nervous—my mother taught me that.

But I wasn't a king. Not yet.

"No sign of Danisinia yet?" My mother kept her tone light, but I could hear the sounds of disappointment and expectation coating her tongue.

"She's coming." I stopped myself from brushing my hands through my hair and instead scratched the scruff on my chin. It was progress, I supposed. "She's only running late."

"Oh, so you're a seer now?"

I bit down on my tongue, then released it, forcing a small smile. "If Dani said she'll be here, then she'll be here."

"Very well."

As guests bowed and curtsied to my mother and me, we smiled back at the patrons, wishing them a happy solstice.

After a moment, my mother leaned closer to me, her voice barely above a whisper. "I must be honest with you, Fynneares. I was, at first, surprised that you and Danisinia were courting each other, but of all of your former partners, she is by far my favorite."

"Mother!" My eyes widened as I scanned the passing guests. "You can't say that," I hissed.

"Why not? It's true." She pushed her shoulders back, an amused smile twitching at the corner of her lips. "And I am queen, Fynneares. I may say whatever I please."

I snorted, shaking my head. If I hadn’t known better, I would have said my mother was in a good mood.

"Although, I might be a little biased. The Ferrioses have been some of our closest friends for a long time." She tipped her head. "Rosalina, however, has always been after your crown."

I turned to my mother then, my jaw dropping.

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