Page 75 of Death of a Mortal

“I’m surprised you didn’t mention my tardiness. I was two minutes late, you know,” I said.

Seeing the devilish glint return to his eyes helped settle my nerves. I could see my Varyn under his royal mask.

“So you were. How ever will you make it up to me?”

“I’m thinking of a few somethings.” Reciting his own words back to him was quickly becoming my favorite form of banter.

He let out a laugh that quieted my fears—until we entered the dining room, and I saw the king and queen. They were both standing, watching me as we entered.

I felt as if I’d just walked into the lion’s den.

“Noxie, I’m in.”

“Remember, let me know at the first sign of any trouble. Good luck.”

It felt safer, even if only a little, to have Noxie with me in my mind.

I bowed and saw Varyn do the same out of the corner of my good eye.

“Oh, welcome, welcome. We’re so happy you’re both joining us,” Queen Malvina said with a smile that didn’t quite extend to her eyes.

The king wore no smile at all.

I turned to Varyn, waiting for him to approach the table, or introduce me or something. He seemed unwilling to move, staring at his father for a beat too long. They seemed to share a silent communication with their eyes before Varyn finally took a step forward.

I swore I caught the slightest hint of a smile on the king’s face. It made my pulse stutter.

I took a deep breath—I could do this.

Caedryn sat down at the head of the table, and Varyn and I took seats on one side of his father while the queen took the seat on his other side. The dark wooden table was already set with glasses, plates, and napkins, that Nella or I had most likely pressed and folded, and adorned with two gigantic bouquets of blood-red roses.

It was intimate. The dining room was bathed in a warm orange glow from the fireplace blazing at one end. The king’s regalia nearly matched Varyn’s, but where gold adorned Varyn’s, silver adorned the king’s and was complete with a deep-green mantle. Queen Malvina looked exquisite next to her husband in a shimmering gown of green and silver, emeralds sparkling at her throat and wrists. Where he was menacing and pale, she was radiant and glowing.

A servant came in and poured the dark-red wine, first for theking, then the queen, then Varyn, and me last. But instinct told me I should not be drinking in present company, that I needed to keep my head clear and my senses sharp.

Once the servant had stepped back from the table, the queen spoke again. “Is this your first time in Dolvenar, dear?”

I noticed the king was still watching me, even over the top of his glass as he took a sip. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me once since we walked in. Was he even blinking? Those red eyes were deeply unnerving.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And what do you think?” she asked.

“I think it’s lovely.” It wasn’t a complete lie. “The castle is beautiful, especially the grounds.”

“I do love this time of year, when therosesare all in bloom.”

The way she emphasized roses…she knew about our dinner in the rose garden. She had to. There was no way that was coincidental. My pulse quickened further. I wondered what the royals thought of the prince seeing a mortal.

We were seeing each other, right? Dinners, late-night escapades, now meeting his family? It was frustrating how hard he was to read.

“And what of your family, dear? I understand you came here with your sister?”

I tried to catch Varyn’s eye, but they were fixed firmly on the glass in his hand, staring vacantly.

“Yes, ma’am, I came here with my half sister.”

“And what of your mother and father?”