Page 55 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

“Lady Uanna. This is...unexpected.” I straighten and step back, maintaining a careful distance.

Her lips curve into a practiced smile. “I heard the most interesting news from Prince Jonyk. He’s planning to stay here on his way back from the firelord parlay.” She pauses, tilting her head. “I was hurt you hadn’t contacted me.”

I should have known Jonyk would find a way to complicate matters further.

“The prince’s visit was recently arranged.” It’s not a lie, since the baron hadn’t bothered to relay the message until yesterday. “I’ve only just informed mystaff this morning.”

“Still.” Uanna steps closer, trailing one finger down my chest. “We used to share everything.”

The scent of ice roses—her signature perfume—surrounds me, and for a moment I remember why I once found her intriguing. But that was before everything changed.

Before Lara.

The door leading to the hallway off the foyer swings open, and Lara herself enters, carrying a feather duster. She freezes when she sees us, her eyes going wide.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize?—”

“It’s fine,” I say, my voice rougher than intended. “Continue with your duties.”

Uanna’s head snaps around at my tone, her gaze fixed on Lara like a predator scenting prey. “What’s this?” She examines Lara from head to toe. “A human servant? How exceedingly quaint.”

Lara’s jaw tightens, but she drops into a clumsy curtsy before turning and rushing back out the door. I fight to keep my gaze from following her.

I fail.

“Interesting.” Uanna’s voice has gone sharp as an icicle. “I don’t recall you having such an appreciation for the help before.”

“I appreciate all my servants’ hard work.” The words come out clipped and cold.

“Do you?” Her eyes narrow further. “I suppose that explains why you haven’t invited me to visit in so long. You’ve been busyappreciatingyour servants.”

“Lady Uanna.” I inject every bit of aristocratic ice I can muster into my tone. “You are, of course, welcome to stay until the prince arrives. Khrint will show you to the guest suite in the east wing.”

She goes still. “The east wing? But I always stay in the green room. Next to your chambers.”

“The green room needs repair.” Another lie, but one she can’t easily disprove. I gesture for her to precede me out the door. She goes, but not happily.

“I see.” Her lips press into a thin line. “How unfortunate. I had so looked forward to resuming our previous arrangements.”

As we step out into the foyer toward the grand staircase, a door closes above us, and I glance up to see Lara now standing at the top of the stairs, a stack of linens in one hand, the other gripping the banister so hard her knuckles have gone white. She’s clearly heard Uanna’s last comment.

Something hot roars through my blood. I want to go to her, to explain that Uanna means nothing, that she never truly did. Instead, I force myself to look away.

“Previous arrangements have a way of changing.” I gesture for Khrint to approach from where he’s stationed himself nearby. “Please show Lady Uanna to her rooms.”

“Of course.” Uanna’s voice has gone glacial. “I wouldn’t want to presume upon our friendship.”

I ignore her statement, though the dig about friendship does give me a twinge. After all, we were friends, long before we were lovers. “Shall I have refreshments sent to your rooms?”

“Don’t trouble yourself.” Uanna’s tone drips with disdain. “I wouldn’t want to distract you from your duties.”

She follows Khrint up the stairs, her skirts swishing against each step like angry whispers. But then she pauses as she passes Lara, who has started back down the stairs. “Do be careful with those linens, girl. They’re worth more than you are.”

Lara’s face flushes red, but she says nothing. Her gaze meets mine for a brief moment, and the heat in her eyes nearly undoes me. Is it anger? Jealousy?

I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t want her to be jealous.

She’s merely a means to an end, a sacrifice I must make to save my world.

---