Page 69 of Crimson Kingdom
The idea of being with my family instead of the entire court was a relief, right up until I realized it would be my first family dinner with Evander as my official betrothed. My mother was sure to make an ordeal of it.
Sure enough, flutes of sparkling wine were already on a rolling tray near the table when we walked in.
“We’re celebrating tonight.” Mamá’s words were pointed, with a sideways glance at my father.
He had been ostensibly absent from my three solid days of wedding planning, and even now, he wouldn’t look at me. A servant came in to pass around the wine, effectively distracting me from my surly Da’ for a few moments.
I turned toward Evander and subtly raised my glass.
“To our very platonic alliance,” I said under my breath, unable to hold back a small smirk.
His eyes lingered on my tilted lips before meeting mine. He lifted his own glass, a challenge in every single one of his features.
“To the sacrifices we make.”
I gave him a look to saytouché, and he returned it in kind.
“Is the wedding really in just over a week?” Bronwyn asked, abruptly pulling my attention to the rest of the table.
“And then you’re going to leave again?” Blair added, sadness tinging her usually buoyant tone.
“I have to--” I started, but Da’ cut me off.
“No, ye didn’t have to,” he growled. “I told ye I could take care of it, but instead of trusting me to do that, ye decided to traipse off and marry into the kingdom that repeatedly tried to kill ye.”
Evander tensed at my side. I opened my mouth to respond, but Mamá spoke over me.
“Logan,” she said somewhat sharply, “I’m sure Ellie is up from her nap. Why don’t you go fetch her?”
Da’ held her gaze for several heartbeats before he gave a terse nod, shoving back his chair and heading toward the door.
“I believe I’ll help,” Aunt Isla said, steel in her tone as she stood to follow him.
The door slammed shut behind her, and silence descended. Very, very awkward silence.
“I apologize for my husband,” my mother finally said to Evander. “He’s not usually...” She trailed off before she could finish the lie.
Avani sighed.
“There’s no point in sugar-coating it now, Mamá.” She looked at Evander with a semi-apologetic shrug. “You’re marrying into quite the temperamental family.”
“It’s all the red hair,” Uncle Finn chimed in with a shake of his head.
“Though I’m sure you never would have guessed that, what with Rowan being so amicable and accommodating,” Davin said blithely.
Evander’s lips tilted up in a smirk, though it was less solid than usual. “Thosearethe words I most often use to describe her.”
Conversation picked up again after that, at least until the door banged open several minutes later. My father entered first, holding Ellie, and Isla was on his heels.
Aunt Isla cleared her throat as she made her way back to her seat, and Da’ glared at her before picking up his glass.
“We are glad to welcome Lord Evander to our family,” he gritted out.
Another beat of silence passed.
This time, it was Uncle Oli who broke it, narrating in an overly dramatic tone. “Let the record reflect that on this day, the King of Lochlann hath shed tears of joy--”
Davin took over. “Many, many sincere tears, whilst welcoming his future son-in-law to the illustrious family.”