Page 107 of Lady for Embers

“Just making an observation,” he said innocently.

“Observe this,” she snapped, lifting her middle ?nger in front of his face.

“How unprincess-like of you.”

“Oh my gods,” Scarlett moaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Why are you choosing now to be an intentional pain in my ass?” When his only answer was an arrogant smirk, she rolled her eyes, gesturing vaguely in his direction. “This is my husband, Sorin.”

“I know who he is,” Cethin said, eyes glittering with amusement. “Prince of the Fire Court, husband, King of the Western Courts, and twin ?ame.”

Her nose wrinkled. “It is unsettling that you know all of that.”

Cethin chuckled, then jerked his chin over her shoulder. “That is your Guardian?”

“It is even more disturbing that you knowthat,” she said, her brows knitting together. “Seriously. How do you know that?”

“A hunch. Based on the way he is hovering protectively.”

“You are a liar,” Scarlett purred, stepping closer to who was apparently her brother.

Cethin’s lips twitched again. “A hunch, among other things. To be discussed when we are not on the docks.” He looked past her to the water. “How many more ships accompany you?”

“A few,” she answered. “Many with Fae and children who were not safe to stay behind.”

“We will ?nd accommodations for all of them,” Cethin assured her.

Scarlett nodded, watching all the people move about the docks. “And where exactly are we staying?”

“There are quarters being prepared at the castle as we speak,” he answered.

“Fancy,” she quipped, eyeing the male at his side. “Who is this?”

“Razik Greybane. Hand-to-the-King, among other things.”

Razik ?ashed her a tight smile but didn’t say anything, continuing to watch them all closely.

“Other things,” she echoed dryly.

“Again, something that would be better discussed away from the docks,” Cethin said.

“You are awfully worried about being overheard on the docks,” Sorin observed. “Do you not trust your people?”

Cethin sent him a ?at look. “Implicitly. However, I assumed your wife would want some time to process everything before alerting the entire kingdom that an unknown princess has returned home, and like any other docks, there are eyes and ears everywhere. We rarely receive ships from the east. There will already be rumors swirling.”

That all seemed logical enough, but—

“You do not truly expect me to leave my people here while I go off to a castle?” she asked.

“I have people on their way to escort them to accommodations,” Cethin explained.

“I cannot just leave them here,” Scarlett insisted.

“I will stay with them,” Briar said from behind them. “Sawyer too.”

“And I can stay,” Rayner added.

Scarlett glanced up at Sorin, who seemed as con?icted about this decision as she did.

“Not a very trustworthy thing, are you?”

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