Page 5 of The Gilded Cage

There were so many reasons for Kiva to hate the crown prince, but she couldn’t summon the burning resentment that should have consumed her. She blamed Jaren for that. From the moment they’d met, he’d been caring and thoughtful and wholly devoted to her. Even when she’d learned that he’d lied about who he really was, she still hadn’t been able to turn her back and leave him to die of his injuries down in the tunnels beneath Zalindov. She’d tried —desperately— to harden her heart toward him in the weeks they’d spent at his family’s palace in the Tanestra Mountains, and then during their long days of travel to Vallenia, but it was useless. He was just too gods-damnedlikeable.It made everything Kiva planned to do to him and his family that much more difficult.

Not that she’d ever admit as much — even to herself.

“It was ...” she started, unsure how to answer. Her day had been amazing, incredible, everything she’d ever hoped for. But knowing what she did about her future, and how she would have to turn down Maddis’s offer, all she said was, “Interesting.”

Jaren’s golden eyebrows inched upward. “A glowing commendation.”

Kiva ignored his sarcasm and asked, “What’re you doing here?”

There was no one near where they stood leaning against the footbridge, but she still peered nervously at those spaced further out in the sanctuary, and the spattering of people walking along the arched stone pathways between the infirmaries.

“I came to pick you up,” Jaren said with a merry wink. “First day of school, and all that.”

Kiva shook her head at him. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Ouch,” Jaren said, pressing a hand to his heart. “That hurts. Right here.”

“If someone recognizes you —”

Jaren had the audacity to chuckle. “People in Vallenia are used to me and my family wandering freely among them. We only wear masks during special events, so we’re easily recognizable the rest of the time. Don’t worry — we’re not as much of a novelty as you’d think.”

“I doubt Naari would agree with you,” Kiva argued, looking past him. “Where is she?”

Since leaving Zalindov — and in the time they’d been there together — it was rare to see Jaren without his most loyal Royal Guard, his Golden Shield. That Naari Arell was absent now meant one of two things: either she was giving them space and watching from a distance, or —

“Would you be impressed if I said I managed to give her the slip?”

The self-satisfied grin Jaren wore had Kiva tilting her head to the side, a smirk playing at her lips as she replied, “I’d be impressed if you managed to survive her wrath afterward.”

Jaren’s grin fled, a wince taking its place. “Yes. Well.” He straightened his shoulders and rallied. “That’s a problem for later.”

“I’ll say something nice at your funeral,” Kiva promised.

Jaren huffed out a laugh. “You’re too kind.” He then grabbed her hand and started leading her back toward the arched pathway. “Come on, we have to get moving if we don’t want to miss it.”

Kiva tried to free herself from his grip, but his fingers only tightened around hers, so she gave in, resolutely ignoring how nice it felt, and sought to keep up with his long strides. “Miss what?”

“Sunset,” Jaren answered.

When he said no more, Kiva dryly observed, “This may come as a shock, but there’ll be another one tomorrow.”

Jaren gave her a gentle tug. “Smart ass.” The amused look he shot her warmed her insides — andthatshe ignored, too.

She was ignoring a lot these days, when it came to Jaren.

“The annual River Festival kicks off at sunsettoday,” he said. “It lasts all weekend, but the first night is always the best, so we want to make sure we have a good view.”

“Of what?”

“You’ll see,” Jaren said mysteriously.

Kiva made a quick decision. She would allow herself one more night — a night to experience the River Festival and enjoy being in Jaren’s company, knowing that their days together were numbered.

One night, and then she would set out for Oakhollow, where she would finally follow through with what she’d determined upon leaving Zalindov.

No matter how she might feel, no matter how the crown prince had wormed his way into her heart, it was time for the Vallentis family to fall.

CHAPTER TWO

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