Page 93 of Twin Crowns

Alarik’s lips curled. “Would I indeed?”

Theclick-clackof heels announced the arrival of Princess Anika, who jostled in front of her older brother. “So,thisis Ansel’s blushing bride?” She unashamedly examined Wren from head to toe.“Interesting.”

Wren smiled thinly. “Welcome to Anadawn, Princess Anika. I hope you find it to your liking.”

Anikahumphed. “Your palace is certainly impressive in size, although some of the decor is a bit... dated.” She looked meaningfully at Wren’s dress.

“I like your pet snow fox,” said Wren sweetly. “Are you wearing his brother around your shoulders?”

Anika’s eyes flashed, and the ghost of something feral passed over her face.

“Your fox trulyisa darling,” Celeste cut in, gracefully, before the Gevran princess could retort. She offered a goblet of wine to Anika. “Is he always so well behaved?”

Anika’s eyes glittered as she took it. “Hardly. He has a fierce temper.”

“My sister exaggerates,” said Alarik. “Her fox is tamed like all of our beasts. They know to obey their masters.”

Wren’s eyes found Tor’s across the room. His jaw was clenched, his shoulders stiff. “Perhaps some beasts should never be tamed.”

“I’ve never known a beast that can’t be broken. In fact, the same goes for humans.” Alarik’s laugh was cold as a winter wind, and Wren felt the shiver of it in her bones. “Your witches will learn that soon enough.”

“Oh, you and your obsessions, Alarik. Can’t we have a night of fun?” Anika pouted. “I want to dance! Who will indulge me?” She looked at Celeste, a sudden gleam in her eye. “You’re certainly dressed as if you know your way around a dance floor.”

Celeste smirked. “Well spotted.” She glanced at Wren, no doubt to make sure she wasn’t crossing enemy lines. Wren winked at her, quickly deciding that a distracted Anika Felsing was far more preferable to the one who had just jostled into her conversation. And besides, a little distraction would be good for Celeste, too.

Celeste drained the wine in her goblet and held out her arm to the Gevran princess. Anika took it, both girls cackling wickedly as they sauntered away.

Ansel, who had been nervously loitering close by, slid out from behind his brother. “Speaking of dancing, would you like to indulgeme, my flower?”

“Gladly.” Wren snatched his hand without a second thought, and even though she wasn’t in the mood for dancing, she was relieved to be swept away from King Alarik and his talk of the witches.

As it turned out, Prince Ansel was a terrible dancer. And despite Thea’s best efforts to teach her over the years, so was Wren. Theyambled clumsily around the dance floor, giggling like children every time they stepped on each other’s feet. “I had pictured this going a little more gracefully,” Ansel admitted sheepishly.

Wren laughed breathlessly. “But then it wouldn’t be half as much fun!”

“Indeed not!” said Ansel, stomping on her pinkie toe for the third time. Wren could see Tor over Ansel’s shoulder, watching them. He was smiling now—just the gentlest curve of his lips.

“Ah, Tor, my faithful shadow,” said Ansel, following her gaze. “After all these years, I’m not sure I could imagine my life without him.”

“You are lucky to have him,” said Wren, and she meant it. She couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to dance with the soldier instead of Ansel. How strong his arms would feel around her, how tight he would hold her, how his breath would flutter against her neck, how—

“May I cut in?” Alarik stepped in front of his brother and offered his hand to Wren. “I was feeling left out.”

“Oh.” For a heartbeat, Prince Ansel looked crestfallen, but he deftly covered his disappointment with a smile before shuffling out of the way, and Wren understood that, although Alarik had phrased it as a request, it was not that at all.

She swallowed her revulsion as she took the king’s hand. “I should warn you, I’m not much of a dancer.”

“So I’ve witnessed.” Alarik looked down at Wren. “Perhaps you just need the right partner.”

Wren was distracted by Celeste’s pealing laugher. She and Anika were cavorting around the dance floor, downing goblets of frostfizz like water.

“Am I not interesting enough to hold your attention, Princess Rose?”

Wren blinked up at Alarik. “Excuse me?”

His frown sharpened, adding a savagery to his handsomeness. “You are looking everywhere but at me.”

“I’m simply waiting for you to lead.”

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