Page 50 of The King’s Commander

The twinge of jealousy is not new. She speaks of him as a god. No ill words ever leave her mouth where Aldwine is concerned. And though she’s told me more than once that he is as a brother to her, now, seeing the man, I wonder how such a thing is possible. Even I can see another rumor of him is indeed true.

Though his father is also a good-looking man, Aldwine is more handsome by far. I’ve heard many stories of Aldwine’s mother, even from the king himself. If he did love her, as he claimed, perhaps her beauty played a role?

As he approaches our spot, I imagine Aldwine and Aedre together and then immediately push the vile thought away, replacing it with another more pleasant one. Of Aedre in my arms, kissing me with abandon, responding to each stroke of my tongue with one of her own.

“Glaring at the man will not bring him around to our cause,” Thomas says beside me.

I turn my head toward him, away from the king’s son.

“I was not glaring.”

My voice is thick with jealousy.

Thomas clears his throat.

“I may have been glaring,” I admit. And Thomas knows why. I’ve told him about Aedre’s promise to set up a meeting with Aldwine. He is intelligent enough to surmise the rest.

“God willing, he will be the next king of Meria.” He lowers his voice. “Remember your purpose here, Vanni.”

I look back at Aldwine as he makes his way through the crowd.

Never in all the years I’ve served Galfrid have I given a reason for my loyalty, my motives, to be questioned. And as much as I wish to lash out at Thomas, to refute his words, it would be foolish to do so.

I had forgotten our purpose, if only momentarily. I’m not here to steal kisses from Aedre, however pleasing it would be. My purpose is to speak with that man, the one being feted by his people. The one Aedre and her family do not believe will return with us.

My duty is to convince him otherwise.