Page 139 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“As do we,” she said.

“Maybe there’s a way to strengthen that friendship.”

Her face fell. She looked almost apologetic as she said, “Unfortunately, I’ve been instructed to say that can’t happen as long as you’re aligned with these bottom feeders.”

“Nali.” The male who’d cleared his throat now hissed her name.

She rolled her eyes. “Respectfully,” she added.

“What if I told you I was thinking of ending my alliance here?” I asked as quietly as I could.

Naliadne’s eyes lit. “In that case, I’d be happy to extend our favor?—”

“There you are.” Callan’s voice sliced through the conversation like a rusty blade.

I winced as the river heir’s expression shuttered and her companions pressed in tightly as if they expected an ambush.Callan ignored them, shoving his way to my side. “And you made friends,” he added, clearly angling for an introduction.

“Callan, this is Nali, a representative from King Palamoi’s court,” I said, offering her a wink of my own.

She smiled, but it fell away as she turned back to Callan.

“Ah, the king sent an emissary then,” he said as he took her hand. But I could see the disappointment that the king himself hadn’t come.

Nali pulled her hand back, her smile mostly a show of pointed teeth. “Charmed,” she said with more sarcasm than could be ignored. “But we were just leaving.”

“So soon? Aurelia and I haven’t even taken our vow. Won’t you stay for the celebration?”

Nali sighed but shot me a thoughtful glance. “If we must. But I’ll need a beverage.”

“Of course,” Callan said, gesturing to a server. “Here we are.”

The server veered toward us with a tray of full glasses. Callan passed them around with a friendly smile. When we all had a glass, he lifted his, saying, “A toast. To new friends.”

Nali met my gaze and said, “To new friends.” We all drank. Nali grinned at me then handed hers off to one of her friends. “Let’s dance, boys.”

They followed her to the dance floor without a goodbye.

When they were gone, Callan turned to me. Already, I could see the charm turning to irritation. “What the Hel did you say to her?”

“Nothing. She said the river people are impressed by the health and beauty of Autumn’s lands.”

“If they’re so impressed, why did they run off the moment I walked up?”

“How should I know? I’ve been gone for seven years. You’re the one who’s supposedly been trying to woo them to the alliance table.”

He scowled. “Don’t push me tonight, Aurelia. We need this to work. You have no idea how badly.”

“I’m sure Daddy will punish us both if we don’t deliver.”

His lip curled. “You think this is a joke?”

“Of course not. No one is taking this more seriously than I am. But I can’t force someone to change their opinion of you when you’ve apparently spent a lifetime convincing them you are what you are.”

His eyes narrowed. “And what exactly am I?”

“Why don’t you ask the river people? Since they’re the only other court besides your own who deigned to show up tonight.”

He snarled at me, drawing more than a few stares.

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