Page 20 of Onyx Cage: Volume II
I took a deep dreg, then froze before forcing myself to swallow the overly sweet liquor. No wonder they had risked their lives for vodka, if this was the alternative.
Davin chuckled under his breath, turning to lead me in a roundabout way toward the royal table.
“There are drier whiskeys, of course, but I picked that one just for you,” he said with a wink, gesturing toward my glass with his.
Of course he did.I drained the rest of the abominable liquor, keeping my features even. Davin laughed outright, clapping me on the shoulder like we were old friends.
It didn’t escape my notice that Davin was very intentionally parading me the long way around the room in a show of support for my presence. The Socairan in me wondered what his motives were, but it wasn’t far-fetched to assume he also wanted to avoid conflict between our peoples.
So I refrained from physically removing his hand from my person, because I, too, knew how to put on a show.
“I suppose now we can consider ourselves even for all that unfortunateclaiming of my cousinbusiness.”
My eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
“And here I thought your collaboration with the spy in my home had accomplished that,” I murmured behind a bland smile.
Davin only raised his glass in response, his smirk widening.
We reached the family table at last, where the queen sat with a half-empty glass of her own whiskey, along with a couple I didn’t know. Familiar spring-green eyes surveyed me with blatant curiosity, and it wasn’t hard to surmise where Rowan inherited her inability to hide her features. That was where the similarities ended, though. Queen Charlotte had dark brown hair and a smattering of freckles across her light tan skin. Her features held a softness that was notably lacking in both Rowan and the king.
“Your Majesty,” I greeted with the customary bow.
“Lord Evander,” she returned, overemphasizing theorsound just as her daughter did, though her tone was warmer, gentler. “What a pleasantsurprise.”
Said with all the subtlety of her daughter. That certainly hadn’t taken long.
She gestured for us to take the seats across from her at the table.
I took an even breath, sitting in the ornate chair before responding.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I had planned to send my cousin and his new wife when obligations at Bear would have kept me home, but I was unexpectedly available to make the journey myself.”
By which I meant,I had no choice but to come myself when your daughter insisted on allying herself to my enemy clan.
The queen took a sip of her drink.
“I see. But the purpose of your journey remains the same?” Her tone was curious as her gaze slid behind me to where I could practically feel the presence of the two people in this room I least wished to address just now.
There was no point in lying when the issue of Rowan’s betrothal to Elk would need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
“For the most part,” I acknowledged. “Though the recent talks of an…alliance do pose a quandary for Bear.”
“Yes, quite the pickle, indeed,” Davin said helpfully at my side.
The queen pursed her lips, as if trying to bite back amusement, but before she could respond, a woman’s clipped voice cut in.
“All things that can be discussed at tomorrow’s council meeting, I’m sure.”
My fingers twitched around my glass at the mention of the meeting. I had prepared myself as thoroughly as I could, had gone through every scenario, every possible accusation that could be hurled my way about my father’s sanity, or lack thereof.
I turned my attention to the tiny blonde woman seated next to Queen Charlotte and dipped my chin once to acknowledge her words.
Though she didn’t share any features with Davin, I would have guessed they were related from the way she assessed me under a single arched eyebrow. Also, on her right sat the mirrorimage of Davin, save for the graying hair at his temples, giving away the identity of who these people had to be.
“My parents, Princess Jocelyn and Prince Oliver.” Davin’s introductions were unnecessary by then, since their identities had been obvious, but I nodded all the same.
Afterward, they made a bit of small talk about my journey, not bothering to hide their scrutiny of each of my answers. It didn’t bother me. This was familiar territory; a game I could play in my sleep.