She pressed her lips up into a smile. “Of course,” she said. “I will be glad to give consideration to my future happiness. I have been told there are many suitors who have posed an interest. As soon as my stepmother’s wedding and coronation ceremonies are complete, I’ll enjoy looking at the potential suitors and carrying out courtships.”
“That will not be necessary.”
Her smile was plaster. “What do you mean?”
“I have come to request your hand, Your Highness.”
Her lungs convulsed.
“We are perfectly matched. You are beautiful and adored. I am powerful and respected. You are in need of a partner who can protect you with his gift to offset your own disabilities. Think of it. The princess and the queen’s head thaumaturge—we will be the greatest envy of the court.”
His eyes were shining and it became clear he had been imagining this for a long time. Winter had often thought Aimery might be attracted to her, and this knowledge had been the seed for countless nightmares. She knew how he treated the women he was attracted to.
But she had never imagined he would seek a marriage, above the families, above even a potential Earthen arrangement—
No. Now that Levana would be an Earthen empress, it wouldn’t matter if Winter could make a match with the blue planet as well. Instead, to marry her weak, pathetic stepdaughter off to a man with such an impressive ability to control the people …
It was a smart match, indeed.
Aimery’s grin crawled into her skin. “I see I have left you speechless, my princess. Can I take your shock for acquiescence?”
She forced herself to breathe and look away—demure, not disgusted. “I am … flattered by your offer, Thaumaturge Park. I do not deserve the attentions of one as accomplished as yourself.”
“Don’t pretend to be coy.” He cupped her cheek and she flinched. “Say yes, Princess, and we can announce our engagement at tonight’s feast.”
She stepped away from his touch. “I am honored, but … this is so sudden. I need time to consider. I … I should speak with my stepmother and … and I think…”
“Winter.” His tone had a new harshness, though his face remained gentle, even impassive. “There is nothing to consider. Her Majesty has approved the union. It is now only your acceptance that is needed to confirm our engagement. Take my offer, Princess. It is the best you will receive.”
She glanced at the door, seeking what solace she didn’t know. She was trapped.
Aimery’s eyes darkened. “I hope you aren’t expecting that guard to ask for your hand. I hope you aren’t harboring some childish fantasy that to deny me is to accept him.”
She clenched her teeth, smiling around the strain. “Don’t be silly, Aimery. Jacin is a dear friend, but I have no intentions toward him.”
He scoffed. “The queen would never allow such a marriage.”
“I just said—”
“What is your answer? Do not toy with words and meanings, Princess.”
Her head swam. She would not—could not—say yes. To Aimery? Cruel, deceitful Aimery, who smiled when there was bloodshed on the throne room floor?
But to say no would not do either. She did not care what they might do to her, but if she endangered Jacin with her refusal, if Aimery believed Jacin was the reason for her refusal …
A knock prolonged her indecision.
Aimery growled, “What?”
Jacin entered, and though he wore no expression, as usual, Winter detected a resentful shade of red on his cheeks.
“Her Highness has been summoned to join the queen’s entourage in meeting with our Earthen guests.”
Winter crumbled with relief. “Thank you, Sir Clay,” she said, skirting around Aimery.
Aimery grabbed her wrist before she was out of reach. Jacin’s hand went to his gun, but he didn’t draw.
“I will have an answer,” Aimery said under his breath.
Winter placed her hand on top of Aimery’s, imagining herself unconcerned. “If you must have it now, then I’m afraid the answer must be no,” she said, with a flippancy that denied her true feelings. “But give me time to consider your offer, Thaumaturge Park, and perhaps the answer will be different when next we speak of it.”
She gave his knuckles a gentle tap and was thankful when he released her.
The look he gave to Jacin as they passed, though, spoke not of jealousy, but murder.
Nineteen
It took a heroic amount of effort for Kai to pretend like he wasn’t sick with nerves. The ship settled with a thud that made him jump. Torin’s presence beside him, at least, was stabilizing, and he could hear the anxious whispers of the Commonwealth ambassadors as they waited to debark the ship’s common room. He could sense five stowaways hidden aboard the ship—even though he didn’t know where, so there was no chance he could give their location away with a stray glance.
If anyone was going to draw suspicion, it would be him. Only he and Torin knew about Cinder and her allies, and Torin’s expression was as unperturbed as ever. The ship’s crew was too busy with their arrival procedures to question the disappearance of America’s secretary of defense, and none of the other passengers knew they’d taken guests aboard in the first place.
Whereas Kai couldn’t stop thinking about these people—his friends—and what he was helping them do. Invade Luna. Start a rebellion. End a war.
He also couldn’t stop counting the thousands of things that could go wrong.
He needed to focus. This would only work if Levana believed Kai was determined to finalize their marriage alliance, once and for all. He had to make her think she had won.