Page 53 of A Court Bright and Broken

Moving as if she was in a daze, Wyn lifted her hand toward Father, and he brought it to his lips. But instead of the usual perfunctory kiss, he let his mouth linger on her skin, breathing deeply as he inhaled her scent.

Admittedly, her fragrancewasalluring, but this was highly unusual behavior from the man who’d sired me.

At least I’d never seen him act this way. But then, I didn’t usually see him in the company of women.

As a widower, he couldn’t take another wife. Was he considering making Wyn an addition to his personal collection of “special” attendants?

My hands curled into fists, the tendons in my neck going tight as my jaws ground together.

“Do you approve of my choice, Father?” I asked with a terse note I couldn’t quite manage to erase from my tone.

Finally the King released her hand, and Wyn stepped off the platform. She scurried back to stand at my side, shaking even harder now.

Father’s eyes shifted from her to me and then filled with annoyance, as did his tone.

“You haven’tmadea choice yet. That’simpossiblebecause you’ve danced with no one but this girl.”

His gaze bounced between the two of us for another moment before he laid down the law.

“Let the poor thing rest and take some refreshment–and meet some other people. It’s the first day of the Assemblage for the gods’ sake.”

He waved to dismiss Wyn, and she sped away, off the dais and into the crush of people gathered around it.

“As for you… you will dance witheveryeligible woman here—particularly Lady Glenna Lalor.”

As expected, he’d named the daughter of his most favored political ally and the largest landowner in our kingdom—the woman the real matchmaker would no doubt have selected for me in spite of what her instincts told her.

“I will be watching to make sure youdo,” Father said. “If, by the end of the night, this southerner is still your favorite, we’ll look into her background and see if she’s a suitable choice.”

Father lifted the chalice beside him and took a deep drink, flicking the fingers of his free hand at me. I’d been dismissed.

Looking around for Wyn—because I couldn’t seem to help myself—I saw no trace of her. Hopefully she hadn’t been so terrorized by my father’s bizarre display she’d left the ball altogether.

I heaved a resigned sigh and approached Lady Glenna, who’d been standingoh so convenientlyclose to the dais steps, giving her a polite bow and requesting the “pleasure” of a dance.

The only good news was that Pharis hadn’t also been standing there, ready and waiting to comfort Lady Wyn in his arms.

Chapter 15

Saved by the Bells

Raewyn

I was still shaking even after making it to the other side of the ballroom.

My new goal was to stay as far away as I could from that sparkly throne—and the creepy man who sat on it—for the rest of the night, or at least until I received the Earthwife’s message about my task and completed it.

Whenthatwas done, I planned to leave here as quickly as possible. I just wished she’d hurry up with it.

As beautiful as this place was, as incredible as the orchestra’s music was, as tempting as the food and drinks were, I didnotbelong here.

It was only a matter of time before someone discovered it.

Making my way around the edges of the dance floor, I headed for the buffet tables, hoping the sweets had been set out by now.

If not, I’d select a few morsels ofsomethingtasty to bring home for Tindra and Turi. They’d be pleased by anything new.

But my progress was stopped by a large male body that seemed to materialize in front of me. I looked up.

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