Page 88 of Tarnished Crown

Mila shrugged one slim shoulder, managing to make the motion look graceful. “It hardly matters. I knew I would have to marry someone. I just hadn’t expected it to be...”

“So far from home?”

She nodded. “But if it’s that or war...” Her features turned resolute.

“I think I want to be you when I grow up, Mila,” I said, linking our arms again.

I wasn’t really joking. Mila was a force to be reckoned with. Brilliant and unapologetically herself, but also devoted to her family, her clan, and generally doing the right thing.

She laughed in response, as if I was ridiculous. Before she could say anything, I threw out another question, this one more serious.

“Do you think it will come to that, though? War?”

I wasn’t entirely sure that I wanted the answer. I didn’t know much about war except that I didn’t want to be involved in one, ever, after the stories my family had told. War made monsters of the meekest of men. It left scars that were both seen and not, and the cost always seemed to outweigh the perceived benefit.

Mila tilted her head, her expression going contemplative.

“I don’t think that war is on our doorstep, but it must be a possibility, or I wouldn’t be here.” Concern colored her tone. “Especially if my father is considering having me switch clans for someone who isn’t an heir.”

I took a long draught from my mug, my stomach hollowing at her words.

“Does--” I gathered my courage to ask her what I wanted to know. “Does that bother you?”

She nearly spit out her drink. “Does not being married to the man who basically enslaved my friend bother me? Storms, no.”

Why did that sentiment make me feel so relieved and confused, all at the same time?

“In any event, nothing is written in stone yet about any alliance, but at least I got to see you.” She squeezed my hand, and I returned the gesture.

She was right. Whatever else happened, I could enjoy this unexpected gift of time with my friend.

CHAPTER56

Luca and Mila were in the study discussing nuances of the terms while Evander and I helped ourselves to more medovukha.

“Sure you don’t want me tofetchthat for you?” I asked him sarcastically.

He chuckled. “Well, if you’re offering.”

I glared, and he relented, speaking in a voice barely above a whisper. “Well, your delicate reputation--and mine, of course--would be at risk if they suspected you were anything other than a prisoner at risk of escaping. Which, of course, is exactly what you are.”

Because I was sleeping in his room, he meant. It was the closest either of us had ever come to calling out the fact that there was no actual reason for me to sleep in there when Ava was several days’ ride away and we both knew I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Well, then, it’s a good thing we’re both so good at pretending.” The words slipped out before I could consider them.

I wasn’t even sure what I was referring to. Pretending to be captive and prisoner now, or pretending that we weren’t the rest of the time.

He held my gaze for several thundering heartbeats, as if he was trying to determine the same thing. “Are we?”

Before I could respond, Mila and Luca returned, effectively cutting off our whispered conversation.

Which was just as well, because I had no idea what I would have said.

I hadn’t realized there was a chance Mila would leave, depending on how that first meeting went, but was relieved when Luca announced they were ready to be shown to their rooms.

When we finally settled her in the one I had used last time, we closed the door and climbed onto the bed to catch up without the prying ears of the others.

“I heard about Elk in talks with Ram again. Everyone did. It’s part of why my father is concerned.”