Page 26 of Kingdom of Dance

Long before the end of the meal, one thing was clear to him. Princess Zinnia was the heart of the family. Everyone seemed fiercely fond of the young king and very comfortable with his wife. But it was the eldest sister whom the other girls looked to, who kept conversation flowing when it lagged, and turned potential squabbles into humorous exchanges with a light hand. Royal authority might rest elsewhere, but when it came to the internal life of the family, even the dowager queen seemed to defer to her eldest daughter, unconsciously, Obsidian thought.

And she carried it all with every appearance of effortlessness. Her eyes were bright, and her laugh was ready. Looking at her critically, Obsidian owned to himself that she created a very appealing image. Her hair fell around her face in gentle curls, and her brown eyes sparkled as she spoke. Her expression was pleasant, and her features seemed made for laughter. She certainly didn’t look to him like she was dying.

He glanced over at the king, whose eyes were so often resting on his eldest sister. Obsidian felt his face darken in a frown. He liked King Basil, in spite of himself. He’d never thought he’d be able to so much as respect a member of Entolia’s royal family, but he couldn’t help warming to the practical, unpretentious young monarch. He didn’t like to think of him being duped, as it seemed most likely was happening. For all King Basil’s talk of it being unlike the princess not to confide in her brother, Obsidian’s instinct was that she was hiding something for her own purposes, and the king was fooling himself in trying to find a less painful explanation.

Perhaps because the meal started late, the younger girls were chivvied out of the room by an older woman the moment the plates were empty, assisted by the older princesses. Princess Zinnia stood as well, but her brother put a hand on her arm.

“Let Nurse settle them tonight, Zinnia,” he said. “You deserve a rest.”

“I don’t need a rest,” she said dismissively.

Obsidian looked up, his interest caught. For the first time that evening, his senses were assaulted by a familiar acrid sensation. It was somewhere between taste and smell, and he could feel it wafting through the air from Princess Zinnia’s direction. He was well used to the feeling, and he showed no sign of how unpleasant it was to experience. He simply took note of the words that had elicited it.

Whatever else Princess Zinnia was being dishonest about, she most certainly did need rest. And she knew it perfectly well.

“I should think you don’t,” the dowager queen cut in dryly, “since you slept half the day away today.” Her face softened. “But Basil is certainly right that you should let someone else take charge of the nursery, give yourself a break.”

There was a moment of slightly awkward silence as Princess Zinnia and King Basil seemed to be trying not to look at each other, then the princess sank back into her seat. She didn’t look grateful for the reprieve. If anything, she looked frustrated.

“Mother,” King Basil said, “have I told you about the portrait I’ve had commissioned of Wren and me?” He stood, moving to sit beside his mother, so that he and his wife and mother formed a trio.

Leaving his sister looking across the table at Obsidian.

She studied him for a moment, then leaned forward on her elbows. “I know Basil has brought you here to help me,” she said quietly. “And I appreciate the gesture.”

Surprisingly, she spoke the truth.

“But there isn’t anything you can help me with. Truly. I don’t wish to waste your time.”

Obsidian was silent as he took in her words. There had been no sign of deception, and he wasn’t at all sure what to make of that. He searched his mind for an appropriate response and found none. So he kept his mouth shut.

Princess Zinnia seemed irritated by his lack of response. Apparently accepting that he wasn’t going to speak, she pushed herself to her feet.

“Good evening, Lieutenant,” she said crisply. She paused, searching his face with a sudden interest that made him apprehensive. Then she ducked her head and turned for the door.

Obsidian watched, bemused, as encrusted sand fell from the folds of her gown, making a little trail on the floor behind her. The royal family was certainly not what he’d expected.

“Did Zinnia leave already?” King Basil sounded resigned, from which Obsidian deduced that he hadn’t been expected to keep the princess in place. The king took her recently vacated seat, his eyes searching Obsidian’s face. “I won’t ask you what you think,” he informed his guest. “I know it’s too soon for you to have formed any reliable conclusions. But is there anything I should know?”

“She does need rest,” said Obsidian slowly. “And she believes there’s no way in which I can help her.”

King Basil sighed. “The first I already knew. And the second…well, I’ll just have to hope she’s wrong.” He glanced quickly at Obsidian. “If you can find out the truth of the situation, then surelyIcan help her. Nothing further will be required of you.” His forehead creased in a frown. “Did you sense magic on her?”

Obsidian shook his head.

“Basil, what’s going on?” The question came from the dowager queen, who seemed to have become aware of their conversation.

“I’d rather not say at present, Mother,” said Basil calmly.

To Obsidian’s surprise, the older woman accepted this answer with only a sigh. “Keep your secrets, then,” she said lightly. She smiled graciously at Obsidian. “You’re very welcome, at any rate, Lieutenant.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Obsidian, genuinely surprised by how warmly he was being received by everyone.

Everyone except Princess Zinnia, of course.

“Do you have more specific instructions for me, Your Majesty?” Obsidian asked the king quietly.

King Basil shook his head. “Not at present. Just follow your instincts. See what you can discover.” He gestured to a servant near the door, and the man inclined his head. “I’ll have someone show you to your rooms, although I’ve no doubt you’ll learn your way around the castle quickly enough. It’s not a complicated place.”

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