Page 22 of Crimson Kingdom
“I haven’t been...getting to know Theo...like that,” I muttered.
His shoulders relaxed a bit, and he shook his head. “Stars, Row. Ye could’ve at least said it a bit quieter.”
I let out a sigh. “Evander just...makes me furious.”
“I can see tha’.” His tone was matter-of-fact, but his features still reflected all the disdain he held for the Bear lord. “I’m sure yer Uncle Oli could come up with a nice diplomatic way to make him leave. Or I could come up with a less diplomatic way to make him disappear.”
Why did that thought give me nearly as much panic as him coming had? Swallowing, I looked away.
“I’m sure that would do more harm than good,” I assured him. “It’s nothing I can’t handle for a few days.”
Surely.
Probably.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Iwas determined to avoid Evander for the rest of the ball, but that turned out to be unnecessary.
Every courtier within fifty miles had apparently decided to fling themselves at him, effectively forming a barricade that he didn’t appear eager to escape from.
So much for their unending terror of Socair.
“Rowan?” Theo’s voice cut in again, and I realized I had missed something else he said.
“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely. “I know I’ve been distracted tonight. It’s just--It’s maddening that we have to run this by him.”
Theo nodded, his eyes troubled. “I know.”
Lady Fiona let out a high-pitched giggle as Evander spun her around the room, showing more charm than I would have thought theaaliowas capable of. Where had he pulled this diplomatic side from?
Of course, he had been raised for this, and in hindsight, he had danced with the other women at the Summit. It was only me he seemed to reserve his arseling side for.
“What is he even doing here?” Theo muttered.
“Whatever his reason for being here to begin with,” I responded, “his feelings on an alliance between us haven’t changed.”
“So he won’t give his...permission?” Theo asked darkly.
“I don’t know what he’ll do,” I said honestly. “I suppose we’ll find out tomorrow at the council meeting. In the meantime, I’m sure he’ll just endeavor to make everyone as miserable as possible.”
“Not everyone,” Theo said, raising an eyebrow.
I followed his gaze in time to see Lady Fiona lean closer to Evander. Her elegant hand reached up to brush aside the strands of midnight hair that always tumbled onto his brow.
“No,” I agreed, no small amount of bite to my tone. “Just you and me, I suppose.”
Conversation with Theo was stilted after that. We were both too angry about Evander’s presence, and then there was the somewhat convoluted subject of whether or not Evander would allow a betrothal that I hadn’t officially even accepted.
Any plans I had to tell Theo I accepted tonight had effectively gone out the window when Evander arrived.
I spent the rest of the ball with a false smile pasted on my face as I danced with Theo and several of the other lairds in attendance.
At least when SirLeers-Too-Muchapproached to ask me to dance, one of the palace dogs appeared and bit him on the ankle before running to hide under the curtains of the dessert table. I silently thanked my sister for that distraction as it allowed Davin to cut in instead.
“How are you holding up, Cousin?” he asked when we were far enough away from the rest of the dancers.
“I. Hate. Him.” I bit out through clenched teeth.