Page 65 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“I don’t appreciate my dance partners being monopolized.” He shrugs like that’s all there is to it.

I give him a questioning look, but he says nothing. I sigh, and we finish the dance in silence.

“Thank you for the dances, Prince. It’s been a pleasure,” I say with a curtsey.

“Thank you, Princess. The pleasure is all mine.” He grins flirtatiously and takes my hand, leaving a kiss on the top of it.

I take up a position away from the dance floor and observe the guests. For the first time tonight, I notice Elijah and Ophelia. They’re on the dance floor spinning and laughing merrily. There are dark circles under Elijah’s eyes, but they sparkle as he listens to whatever Ophelia is saying. She’s dressed in a satin dress the color of ripe plums, the blue sheen of her hair sparkling beautifully in curls. I can’t tell what they’re talking about, but whatever it is—they seem happy.

Across the room I catch the sight of Aurelius and my mother dancing. I know this can’t be easy on her, but she’s handling it all with a grace I envy. He’s not holding her in the way he held me in our dance, but there’s familiarity between them. Aurelius says something to her that makes her smile and throw her head back in laughter. My mother has been so distant in my time here, I can’t even remember the last time I heard her laugh like that. Whatever the nature of their relationship, I’m grateful he has given her that.

“They make a lovely couple, do they not?” I hear the cold voice of Lord Seamus next to me.

Without turning to him, I respond as evenly as possible. “They’re beautiful. Not as beautiful as my parents, of course.”

“No, of course not. I didn’t mean any offense, Princess.” His tone suggests otherwise.

“Yes, you did,” I say bluntly. “What do you want, Lord Seamus?” I’m still not bothering to look at him as I speak—a fact I’m sure gets under his skin.

He nearly chokes on the wine he was sipping, clearly not expecting me to call him out so blatantly.

“I had heard reports of attacks on palace residents while I was away. I was curious if you had found the responsible party.”

“There were several deaths and attempted murders during your absence. I am tracking several leads, but they don’t seem connected.” A lie on my part. I was sure they were connected, but I just couldn’t figure out how.

“One would think finding the person behind the attempted murders of two of the kingdom’s future rulers would take priority.”

Interesting. “I find your statement intriguing. My attack was never made public knowledge.”

“You may not know your enemies, Breyla, but I like to keep close tabs on mine. Lord Craylor mentioned your attack in our most recent meeting.”

I scoff. Of course that ass had known about my attack. “And did he mention who he thinks was responsible?”

“He didn’t.” He responds too quickly, letting me know there’s more he’s not saying. “But tell me, do you trust the male sleeping next door to you?” Gods, he was obvious.

“If you’re referring to Lord Aurelius, the answer is unequivocally yes.” I wasn’t sure where this was going, but Lord Seamus couldn’t think I doubted Aurelius in the slightest. While I knew he still kept secrets, somehow the male had worked himself under my skin and earned my trust.

“And if I was referring to theothermale?”

I quirk a brow at him and take another sip of my wine. “Prince Ayden? I trust him more than I trust you. Is there anything else you’d like to pry about?”

He looks unamused. “I was wondering if you found my daughter’s service as your lady to be satisfactory.”

Lies.

“Ophelia is a gem. It’s a damn shame you’ve kept her from my service for so long. We’ve become quite close.”

“Yes, well Ophelia has shown little potential, but I figured she couldn’t possibly fail at that task.”

I’m growing tired of this prick. “Lord Seamus, I’m afraid you greatly underestimate your daughter. I’ve found her to be quite capable, but I’m not the only one. Lord Elijah seems quite taken with her.” I smile into my wine goblet knowing the truth of my words. I know he attempted to plant Ophelia in my service to spy, but her true allegiance lies with me.

He scoffs in disgust. “He’ll lose interest soon enough, I’m sure. She is powerless and far beneath his station. If she weren’t my own blood, I would?—”

He’s silenced by my shadow constricting around his neck, taking the form of a noose.

Finally, I turn to look him in the eyes as I growl my next words. “I would be very careful what words you speak next, Lord Seamus. I don’t take kindly to my loved ones being hurt.”

I can see sparks dancing on the tips of his fingers. It seems he’s stupider than I thought. I loosen my shadows’ hold on him just enough so he can speak.

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