Page 11 of Princess of Air

Sadly, Nina might actually mean that. Her twin is her favorite and has always been on her side for everything. Their united front has been a problem for Rylan and me on numerous occasions. While tiny Ry and Ara shouted our excuses and pointed fingers when a curtain panel from the sitting room went missing, Nina and Marcus calmly presented their alibis which supported each other. I’m still convinced she burnt it to ash. So, working against Marcus would be a big change for her and may soften the way she competes, but I have no doubt she’d justify it if Marcus took a stance against her.

Marcus remains silent on the matter. He couldn’t compete whole-heartedly against her. He would put her before the crown, so I should hope he understands my choice to do the same for Rylan.

“I don’t suppose there is any way for me to convince you otherwise?” It’s worth an attempt. “I’m sure Jamys has a palace somewhere they aren’t using that I could give you.”

“You’re going to be quite the wife,” Marcus says. “Already giving away your husband’s palaces?”

“If I give Ceraun a magical heir, I don’t imagine there is anything I couldn’t have.” If they want to buy me, they’ll pay handsomely.

Sparks flash along Nina’s fingertips, but she says nothing. She isn’t betrothed yet, and I already pity whoever gets saddled with her. A vision of an arbor ablaze with Nina storming away in a smoldering gown flashes through my mind. Is this why she wants to win?

I’m about to ask when Marcus looks past me and smiles. “Hello, Jo.”

I whip around to see Josslyn coming toward us. “Jo, darling!” I rush to embrace her. “What a lovely surprise.”

“I simply had to come see you.” Blue eyes—so much like Tomas’—bore into me. Well that was quick.

“Let’s go chat then.” Over my shoulder, I say to Marcus and Nina, “Good work. Keep it up,” and stroll off arm-in-arm with Josslyn. “He told you then.”

“Of course he did, and I must say, I’m disappointed he knew first.”

“I was going to come to you next. I was strung up about it, and you can’t quite relax me the way he does.”

She groans quietly as we enter the palace and go toward my chambers. “Gods, Ara, he is my brother. I don’t need to hear about this.”

“You aren’t hearing anything. Do you have any idea how painful it is to keep the details from my dearest friend?” Jo is the only person who knows about Tomas and me, though only in the most general way. Regardless of how open-minded Alchosians are, an affair during a betrothal would be a scandal for anyone. People think of Jamys and me as a couple, romanticizing our “love story” into something far from reality. Jo understands, though, and has been my secret keeper. Still, she wouldn’t appreciate hearing that I can’t possibly worry about matters such as the future of the kingdom when Tomas’ touch leaves me a mere puddle of myself.

We drop onto the chaise in my sitting room, and Jo takes my hands. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Mostly annoyed.”

Her head tilts. “Not distraught? Hysterical? None of that?”

“No?”

“Then you’ve lost your mind, because you don’t have any of those excuses for your absurd idea to let Rylan win.” She leans back with a dramatic huff, crossing her arms over her chest.

Dead gods take me if Rylan hears people saying I’d let him win. “Might anyone consider that I don’t wish to be sovereign because it would make the King of Ceraun our consort and that seems precarious?”

“That is not why.”

“It is true, though. Alchos and Ceraun are far too different to be one kingdom, but once our heir were sovereign of both, how long would they remain separate?” I tilt my head toward her and blink expectantly. “We don’t want their stuffy customs down here anymore than they want our far more fun and relaxed way of life up there.”

She shrugs. “Well then, they’re rather foolish.”

“Exactly.”

“Why did we agree to move there?” Jo will be in my court—my bit of home and comfort to take with me.

“Because we are also idiots,” I deadpan.

There’s a knock on the door, and a maid peeks in. “Tea, Your Grace?”

“Yes, please.”

Two maids walk in with trays, setting out sandwiches, sweets, and tea for us. I ask them about their families as they work and thank them on their way out. Then I pour tea while Jo’s glares attempt to skewer me.

“You’re serious then?”

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