Page 118 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“You know nothing!” he roared. His cheeks blew out with heavy breaths and his face flushed red.

I stared at him, stunned into silence at his outburst.

He took several steadying breaths and straightened his collar. With a quick smooth of his hair, he spoke again, his voice deceivingly calm. “I have to work within the parameters my father gives me. This strategy is our best and one we’ve worked hard to ensure. The Midnight Court has sent word they’ll attend our wedding. As will high-ranking members of the other courts. We’ll use our alliance to win them over. That is our best path forward.”

I didn’t bother trying to argue anymore.

He’d clearly spent years developing this weak plan. No amount of logic or sense was going to steer him away now. In fact, all he wanted from me—clearly—was to stand silently beside him like the trophy I was.

My disgust must’ve shown because Callan eyed me andadded, “If you want more than that for yourself—for your people—you know what you have to do.”

His tone wasn’t friendly, and I found that almost refreshing. No more fake charm, no more games. He’d finally let the mask drop. At least, I knew where we stood.

“I’m sorry,” he said, as if he’d read my darkening thoughts. “For what it’s worth, I wanted to be your friend. Maybe even more than friends if you’d let me?—”

“I’ll find a way,” I said, unable to bear the sound of his next words. “With or without your father’s help, I will save my people. And you’ll regret not doing more to save yours.”

His expression turned pained. “Aurelia …”

But I was already walking toward the door, my heart pounding with determination. I couldn’t wait for Callan, for Duron, for anyone.

In the hall, Rydian stood against the far wall. He met my gaze, and I knew he’d heard. Darkness flashed in his depthless gaze, a trove of shadows and secrets that seemed to reach for all the hidden parts of my own heart.

For once, I didn’t bother to hide what he might find there. I also didn’t look back to see what he made of his discovery.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Aurelia

Iwoke to the sound of light footsteps shuffling across the room. My heart leaped into my throat, and I sat up, blinking against the watery dawn streaming through the tall windows. My mind was hazy with exhaustion after such a late night, but the sight of a stranger sharpened me. A woman stood near the window, her head bent as she rearranged a breakfast tray on the small table.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” she said in a crisp, unfamiliar voice. “Your breakfast is served though we don’t have much time.”

My breath caught, and for a moment, I panicked that something had gone horribly wrong. Where was Vanya? She was always here, always fussing over me, making sure my morning tea was the perfect temperature. This woman had dark hair tied back in a severe knot, her frame tall and sharply angled. She looked up, her expression set into a tight mask.

It took me a moment to find my voice. “Who are you?”

“I’m Beryl, your new maid,” she said, stepping closer and offering a polite bow.

“Where is Vanya?”

“Vanya is running an errand today.”

My chest tightened, the remnants of sleep vanishing in an instant. The donation center. I swallowed against the sickening knot in my throat.

Beryl watched me with a steady, almost clinical gaze. “The king has ordered that you meet with him after breakfast. You don’t have much time if you want to eat before getting dressed.”

Panic shot through me. “What sort of meeting?”

“That’s not my business, Your Highness.”

“Right,” I muttered.

There were only a handful of reasons the king might want to see me and none of them good. Even if he hadn’t heard about my argument with Callan, it wasn’t hard to guess he was getting tired of waiting for what he wanted from me.

I ignored the food, my nerves taut as I allowed Beryl to help me dress. She chose one of my fanciest new gowns, and I didn’t argue. If there was any way to impress him without the magic he so desperately wanted, I had to try.

Maybe looking the part would help—an illusion rather than the real thing.

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