Page 81 of Bloodguard

“He proposed to me,” Maeve says.

“He’s old enough to be your father.”

“Not technically. But he’s power hungry. The man cares for nothing save amassing more wealth. He has no interest in politics and nothing but disdain for the Middling and Commons.”

Sounds like most of these houses. “Do any of your nobles care much about those beneath them?”

“Some do. But Ugeen…” Her eyes narrow. “He’s a liar and a cheat, Leith. Ugeen was one of the witnesses who claimed my papa had long been plotting against my grandmother.”

So Ugeen wanted Andres to fall. It’s not surprising. He no doubt stood to gain.

“Vitor despises him,” Maeve says.

“Because of what he did to your papa?” I didn’t think Vitor believed in Andres’s innocence.

“No. Because he dared to try and become king through me.”

We watch his house. They don’t dance or sing. They wear gold, from the cloaks that drape across their backs to the bright-gold shoes with upturned tips. Ugeen waves haughtily, his brethren pausing occasionally to toss coins to the crowd.

I thought Soro and Vitor were the worst foes Maeve would face. But she’ll have a hard time with these other nobles, too.

“There go the talons,” Maeve says, rolling her eyes when Ugeen’s family members lift their hands and curve their fingers to resemble claws.

It’s a weak display at best. We’re already looking ahead as the next wave of the parade approaches.

Each house member rides on a black moon horse. They carry black flags. “House Paragrin, body of the phoenix,” Maeve says quietly. “You decapitated the last eligible bachelor of their family.”

“Oh, Filip. Your former fiancé… Sorry about that,” I say, not meaning a word. Giselle mentioned how he frequently berated Maeve about keeping her scars covered.

Between Ugeen and Filip, I can’t help but ask, “Were there no other eligible options for you?”

I’ve watched throngs of nobles from four houses parade by. Surely there is some other suitable partner?

I don’t want Maeve to marry someone else. But the fact remains that I might not survive the arena. And Soro—hell, I know that won’t end well for her.

She looks at me, and her eyes are sad. “Ididmake the rounds, Leith. Not many nobles are willing to challenge Soro. He made his claim clear the moment the queen became incapacitated. And, uh, Filip was not my first fiancé. I was engaged to a childhood friend from House Kopper. But he…died.”

So they’re threatening any potential suitors.

I can’t say I’m surprised.

Soro was quick to goad Filip into the arena that day. I don’t think he would bat an eye at murder. Does Maeve suspect foul play?

The drums beat again.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

Maeve stands. “This is the tail. House Revlis.”

Vitor’s house.

They progress in military fashion. Equal rows. A mix of genders, all garbed in silver robes. Then a few feet behind the nobles, a full regiment of Arrow’s actual army marches, shields and swords, maces and clubs held at the ready.

“Crowd control or part of Soro’s detail?” I ask.

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