Page 17 of Desperately Yours

It wasn’t hard to focus on the entrée. The chef’s exquisite skill showed in every bite. I recalled Carline, the royal baker’s daughter, whom Fitz dismissed in the early rounds. In truth, though it had only been a few weeks, it felt like eons ago that I’d stood unsure in the parlor as I waited for my chance to talk to the Crown Prince. I thought I had a good understanding of him in the past, but in this limited time, I discovered new depths to my old friend.

Memories of that initial stolen moment in his chambers rushed into my mind like a surging tide. His shirt in my grip, his lips against mine, starved for the connection that we never knew existed. I’d pushed thoughts of our first kiss from my mind for so long, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d thought of it since then. It was brief, but after last night I felt confident that it had impacted him as well. Something had changed within him. A new bravery I hadn’t seen that night, and yet, I could see it now.

The need to know more drove me to search for his gaze once more. Yet, when I finally caught his eye, I discovered he was engaged in a whispered conversation with the footman by his side. With a curt nod, the footman stepped back and left. Fitz’s face tightened with tension, more stressed than before. Was it news about the kingdom? He’d been literally putting out fires since the earthquake, but had something else happened?

Fitz turned back to me, as if he could sense my gaze. With a brief shake of his head, he tried to assure me I didn’t need to worry. But I how could I stop when I saw how much the news had affected him?

“The most surprising turn of events is the voice of the people,” Celani continued as if she were deaf to the hostility in the room. “When polled, they chose Michaela to be the prince’s selection.”

What? Did I hear her right?

Minute tension in the queen’s neck was the only indication that she had feelings on the subject. “Polls are often unreliable.”

“Except when they aren’t,” Bishop offered.

“Besides,” Esmerey felt the need to contribute, “it’s only sympathy because she fell in the hole with that little girl. It will wear off.”

I was still stuck on being leading in anything. This had to be a trick.

“I don’t know,” Bishop shrugged as though he’d thought very little about it, “I think introducing foreign blood into the line would be a smashing idea.”

“And when someone of actual importance echoes your opinion, Bishop, I will give it credence,” the queen’s mouth tightened, “but your standing does not allow you to excuse any laws on her behalf.”

Why did I feel like I’d become invisible? Everyone was talking about me, not to me.

“That’s the rub though, isn’t it?” Bishop loved a challenge and, for whatever reason, the queen didn’t have the power to intimidate him. “She was made noble the first night. They all were. That alone should open the laws on her behalf, no interlude on my part needed,” he smiled broadly, “Your Majesty.”

The queen’s glare seared like a laser. She didn’t appreciate her nephew calling her judgment into question. “Yes, and if Leonidas had communicated with anyone of authority to enact it before he spoke, perhaps it would carry more weight."

"Yes," Bishop smirked, “after all, we can’t go around appointing power to anyone who wants it, right? We don’t need anyonestealingthe crown, yes?”

My mouth went dry at his veiled condemnation. I glanced around the table, curious if the others had heard him or if they’d missed his accusation of treason against the queen. But no one else seemed to pick up on it. Chatter centered around what she’d said.

Celani raised a finger for clarification. “Your Majesty, does that mean the prince’s appointment of all the contestants to noble stature is not valid?”

My eyes darted to Fitz, curious what he would say, but he wasn’t listening. The same footman returned and took a note from the prince’s hand.

“No,” strain in her voice spoke to how much it hurt to say it, “Leonidas was correct on the history of our people. He was well within his rights to elevate those Nolcovians he saw fit.” Her icy gaze found mine. “But only the Nolcovians.”

I held my breath as she glared. The message was crystal clear. I wasn’t welcome. I never would be.

“You’re saying then,” Celani needed exact answers, “Michaela is the only one who is not considered noble, at least in your eyes?”

“In the eyes of the kingdom,” Queen Mariah clarified. “Nor will she ever be.”

My heart clenched in my chest. Beneath the table, Bishop set a palm against my leg to settle me, but with warring emotions, it did little good. Within seconds, I felt like I’d become the enemy of the country, the outsider here to destroy everything, steal the crown and incite chaos, but all I’d come to do was help my friend.

And where was Fitz to defend my honor?

Where were those promises he’d made last night?

Love before country? Maybe he wasn’t talking about me after all.

“Excuse me.” Fitz abruptly rose from the table, not giving even a moment for anyone else to stand, which led to shuffling bodies and silverware clanking and tumbling to the floor. He didn’t so much as pause before he made his exit without looking back.

The queen’s smile cinched down as if she feared it might betray her real feelings. “I apologize for Leonidas, he’s prone to leave without a moment’s notice from time to time. All a part of the life as a Crown Prince, I’m afraid.”

Smiles eased into place around the table as the tension lessened. But Bishop wasn’t about to let it stand.

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