Page 138 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

Hope lifted inside me. “And what is that?”

He looked up to where the king stood, speaking with his advisors. It was clear from their flushed cheeks and the goblets they held that they were well on their way to inebriated. “We would put our people before all else,” Talthis murmured. “Including our own ego.”

When he looked back at me, I realized the truth with a jolt. “You know,” I said. “You know what he’s doing here—to his own people—and you do nothing to stop it?”

“We have our own kingdom’s fate to worry about,” Talthis said, eyes flashing at my accusation.

Yes, whatever friendship there might’ve been between our peoples before was long gone now.

“I don’t believe we should have to choose between the two,” I said coldly.

“Your naivete is endearing. But your father knew better.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Princess,” someone called in a sing-song voice.

I glanced over to see a female headed our way, complete with an entourage at her heels. Talthis turned back to me, buthis glamour had returned. It was clear I wasn’t going to get an answer to my question—not now.

The fae emissary’s expression softened, though his eyes remained unreadable. “I am glad you survived, Princess. We shall see how long you can keep that up,” he murmured, bowing low before disappearing into the crowd.

Chapter Forty-Three

Aurelia

The ominous tone of Talthis’s parting words stayed with me even after he’d gone.

“Princess Aurelia,” came a sultry, melodic voice that pulled my attention. A woman with iridescent scales glittering faintly against her pale skin approached with a predatory smile.

Her dark blue hair rippled like water down her back, and her eyes, sea-deep and shimmering, locked onto mine with unabashed admiration. “I am so thrilled to finally meet you, Your Highness. I’m Princess Naliadne, daughter of Patamoi, King of the Osphanis.” She bent her head low, adding, “But don’t tell any of them.”

She jerked her head at the rest of the ballroom. Her flirty irreverence made me like her instantly. But I couldn’t help registering my surprise. No one above surface had ever laid eyes on the king’s only daughter. Until now.

“Your secret is safe, Your Highness.”

But she waved away the title, saying, “No need for that. I’m incognito tonight. Just Nali.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

The female naiad’s lips curved into a sexy smile. “Believe me, the honor is mine. We thought it was a rumor that you’d somehow survived and returned. And then a worse one when we heard you’d allied yourself with Autumn.”

One of the males in her entourage cleared his throat. The mer princess smirked. “My companions warn me against such comments while standing in the enemy’s house.”

Despite their warnings, she didn’t look worried.

“I take it you’re not here to accept Duron’s offer of an alliance then?” I asked.

Naliadne made a face. “Ugh. Sea gods, no.”

Another of her companions snickered.

“I don’t understand. Why come at all?” I asked.

She winked. “I came to see you.”

My pulse quickened. If the Osphanis people were offering an alliance, maybe they could help me get out of here.

“I’m glad you did,” I said. “Sevanwinds has always considered the river people our friends.”

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