Page 59 of A Court Bright and Broken

As I reached for the carafe to pour some more water for myself, Ronia put a hand on my wrist. Her face looked worried.

“You should probably slow down with that,” she warned. “It’s Nymphian, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Nymphs made it. In the Allantian Isles?”

Clearly this was something I should have known.

Ronia’s expression changed, turning into one of concern. “It’s powerful stuff, far more intoxicating than wine.”

She hesitated then said, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

My pulse, which had finally settled now that I was free of Pharis’ scrutiny, began to race again.

“Tell anyone what?”

Ronia gave me a kind smile.

“If you’d grown up in House Elardis eating imported food from throughout the kingdom, you would have had Nymphian water before—and know which fork to use—andknow the court greetings. You’re not highborn, are you?”

A surge of relief washed through me. She recognized that I didn’t belong here, but shedidn’tknow I was human.

“No, I’m not,” I confessed. “Iwasinvited but only by chance.”

She shook her head as if it was of no consequence.

“Don’t worry about it. My father is only a minor lord. I was a little surprised we were even invited. I think King Pontus wanted to demonstrate his ‘generosity’ or something.”

“There isnochance one of the princes will select me for marriage,” she added.

“Me either, obviously,” I said.

Both of us glanced toward the head table where the hateful king was yelling at a servant who presumably hadn’t done something to his specifications.

His daughter looked embarrassed and turned away from him to play with her monkey.

Pharis leaned far back in his chair, wearing a bored expression as he drank from his wine glass. He looked like he’d rather be anywhere other than this sumptuous feast.

Prince Stellon watched his father, a frown marking his brow. He was extremely handsome, even in profile.

He did resemble the King, who of course was attractive as all Elven men were. But there was no cruelty in Stellon’s face.

Apparently his younger brother had inherited all the callous disposition in the bloodline.

Suddenly, Stellon turned away from the embarrassing scene between the King and the servant and looked directly at me.

Chapter 16

It’s Time

Raewyn

My heart stopped for a moment then resumed beating but at a much faster rate.

There was surprise in Stellon’s eyes followed by a shift to something that looked a lot like determination.

He pushed his chair back and stood, leaving the head table and moving in my direction.

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