Page 108 of Lady of Ashes

“Father,” Tava chided lightly, pulling her hand from Callan’s and laying it on her father’s arm. “He is not stealing me from you.”

He patted her hand, a tight smile forming on his face, his square jaw rigid. “That is how it feels, my dear. I am still adjusting to all of this. It seems to have come about so quickly. Neither your brother nor I knew you were interested in anyone, let alone the Crown Prince.”

“You are unhappy with the arrangement?” Tava asked, her brows arching.

He patted her hand again. “This is not the place,” he said, taking her hand and passing it back to Callan. “Go enjoy yourself. This event is for you and the Crown Prince, after all.”

And the way he said those last words had Callan immediately on edge. His voice had dropped into a smooth growl that had Callan pulling Tava protectively into his side. Drake, who had been standing on Tava’s other side, seemed to have noticed too. His eyes had narrowed slightly on his father as the man began making his way towards the king.

“Do not let her out of your sight tonight,” Drake said, his voice low and full of worry.

“I do not intend to,” Callan answered, his arm sliding around her waist. “She is not Scarlett, Callan,” Drake hissed, having taken the liberty to stop with formalities as soon as he’d learned of this agreement between him and Tava. “She does not have daggers strapped beneath her skirts.”

“Thank the gods for that,” Callan muttered.

“I will be watching too,” Drake said.

Tava was smiling brightly as Callan began leading her into the room, Drake staying close to her side. She looked every bit the excited ?ancé. “You need to keep an eye on Mikale and Father, Drake,” she said casually. “They are acting strangely this evening.”

“I can do that while keeping an eye on you as well,” Drake countered.

“How are they acting strangely?” Callan asked. And how would she know? They had just arrived. She hadn’t even spoken to Mikale yet.

“Mikale and Veda are keeping their distance from the others,” Tava replied. “And Father seems to be making a deliberate effort to make it clear they are not seen conversing much. The king’s Inner Circle is almost always together at these types of events.”

Callan looked to the king again, where Lord Tyndell and Lord Lairwood were congregated with him along with a few other Lords. It was odd that Mikale wasn’t with them. He tended to be by his father’s side or at his side. He hadn’t made any effort to even greet Callan this evening.

Callan had just assumed it was because he was still upset about the turn of events with this engagement.

“Do what you must, Drake,” Tava said. Then, looking up at Callan, she added, “We need to dance. People are watching our every move.Theyare watching our every move.”

Callan plastered a smile on his features, drawing Tava to him when they reached the dance ?oor; other couples quickly movingto give them space. He began leading her through dance steps, and after a few moments, she said, “You are tense tonight.”

“It seems that is my general state of being as of late,” he answered, his eyes darting around the room.

“Ignore them, Callan,” she said softly. “Pretend it is just another ball. Another celebration. Being in front of a crowd has never seemed to bother you before.”

“There was not a constant sense of danger before,” he countered, bringing his eyes back to hers, ?nding them bright with amusement.

“You are the Crown Prince,” she mused. “You have personal guardsbecausethere is always potential danger.”

“You are supposedly becoming a princess,” he said. “Maybe you should be given a guard.”

“If I were truly to become one, I would maybe agree with you,” she teased.

“Actually, I think it would be a good idea,” he said, pulling her into him a little more.

Tava scoffed. “I do not need a personal guard. I have Drake.”

“And when Drake is not around?”

“Callan, I do not think it is necessary,” Tava replied, realizing he was serious.

Callan glanced around at the hall again. At the way Veda was watching their every move. At the way Mikale still had not joined his father and the other Lords.

“I think it is quite necessary,” Callan ?nally said. She opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head and continued. “It is the least I can do, Tava. You have placed yourself in danger for Windonelle. I can certainly provide you with a measure of protection. Besides, as has already been stated, it would be expected for the soon-to-be-princess to have some sort of guard with her at all times.”

Tava shot him a frank look. “Callan—”

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