I swallowed when Ceren brought his hand up and placed two fingers under my chin, just like Mother had. I was suddenly conscious of my scar, knowing if he looked close enough, he’d be able to see the raised skin under the stain. He slid his fingers down my throat and rested them in the hollow at the base of it. It was the strangest gesture, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. His enlarged pupils were as black as the mountain that surrounded us.

His fingers trailed farther down, until they rested just above my heart, near the black jewel. I heard Ebb’s sharp intake of breath behind me.

“Oh, don’t sound so scandalized,” the prince said to Ebb over his shoulder. “She’s going to be my wife soon enough.” His eyes flicked back to mine. “Your heartbeat is strong and steady. That’s good.”

I swallowed the bile in my throat.

“How does it feel, knowing you’ll be queen of all of this soon?” His voice was soft enough that only I could hear it, his fingers still resting above my heart. Could he feel how fast it was beating now? “I’ve never seen your home, but I can’t imagine it can compare to the beauty and splendor of Ilara.”

I should have sunk my teeth into the flesh of my tongue to stop myself from speaking, but I didn’t. “On the contrary, Your Highness.”

Something flashed in his eyes, but he smiled. “I see. You’ll have plenty of time to tell me about it over the next... Well, I suppose how long you’re with us remains to be seen.”

Terror coursed through me as he ran his fingers back up to my throat. He was so much bigger than I was—he could probably snap my neck with his bare hands if he wanted to.

Finally, Ceren lowered his hand and stood, wiping his lips on a napkin even though he hadn’t eaten anything. “I’ll be at your room in an hour to take you on your tour. Perhaps you’ll find something here to your liking after all.”

      14

   Back in my room, I paced over the scattered carpets, my mind racing. Ceren was cold and cruel. How could I marry someone who spoke so lightly of murder, who seemed to relish other people’s discomfort?

A small part of me wondered if the truth about my identity would get me sent home to Varenia. But I knew deep down that he would likely kill me, and worst of all, punish my people. I couldn’t risk that. The only silver lining I could find in any of this was that at least I was here instead of Zadie. The thought of that man touching my sister made me want to destroy something. I settled for pummeling one of my eighteen pillows.

“Milady,” Ebb said quietly, placing a light hand on my shoulder when I’d finished my tantrum. “The prince will be here soon.”

I looked up. “I can’t marry him, Ebb.”

Her eyes were soft and sympathetic. “Be careful,” she whispered, glancing around the room as though someone might hear us. “Sound carries strangely in this mountain.” She placed a finger on the wall next to a small hole carved into the stone. No doubt it led through to another chamber, where someone could listen if they chose.

Let them hear me, I thought. What was the worst they could do? Stick me in a cave and force me to marry the most disagreeable man in history? Oh wait, they’d already done that.

I smacked another pillow for good measure.

“How could you not tell me the queen was dead?” I asked, resuming my pacing. “Didn’t you think I had a right to know? She was one of my people, Ebb. The only person here who might have understood me.”

“I am sorry, milady. But I was expressly forbidden to speak of the late queen.”

“By whom? The prince?”

“By the king himself.”

I folded my arms across my chest, remembering the way Ceren had touched me there as though it were nothing, and sat down on the bed. “He probably knew I’d never come if I found out the previous queen had been murdered. How did she die?”

“They believe she was stabbed, because of all the blood. That’s what I heard, anyway. I was still living in the village then.”

I patted the bed next to me, inviting her to sit. Ebb bit her lip, hesitating, and then perched at the edge of the mattress. Perhaps this was not an appropriate way for a lady and her maid to interact, but I was used to confiding everything in someone else. Right now, I didn’t need a servant; I needed a friend.

“We could send word to the prince that you’re too tired for the tour, put it off for later.”

“What good would putting it off do? I’m supposed to marry the man, remember?” I shuddered at the thought of his cold hands on my bare skin. “Do you know when the wedding is planned for?”

“They’ll want to have it before the king passes, I imagine.”

I raised my eyebrows. “That could be tomorrow.”

“He’s been in a similar condition for six months, at least.”

I turned to her fully, forcing her to meet my gaze. “When will I be allowed to leave the castle?”

“I—”

We heard footsteps just before a heavy knock on the door. My stomach plummeted like a stone.

“Will you come with me?” I asked Ebb. “Please?”

The door flew open before she could respond, and we both jumped to our feet. Ceren stepped forward, but he had the decency to pause on the threshold at least. “Are you ready, my lady?”

I nodded and glanced behind me at Ebb.

“Your maid can wait here. I’m sure she has plenty of work to keep her busy.”

My mouth opened and closed like a fish, but Ebb only bobbed a quick curtsy and handed me my wrap. “Very well,” I said, pulling the black fur capelet around my shoulders. “Lead the way.”

“After you. I insist.”

I hated the idea of having my back to Ceren, but I didn’t see much of a choice. I began to walk down the hallway when a guard stepped up beside me.

“Milady.”

I turned and smiled at the familiar, boyish face. “Grig, you’re here.”

“I hope that’s all right.”

“It’s wonderful.” He offered me his arm, but I was too conscious of Ceren’s presence behind me to accept.

“You’re one of my brother’s men, aren’t you?” the prince asked.

Grig turned to bow. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Don’t you have work to be doing? We have plenty of guards here at New Castle.”

“Prince Talin asked that one of us remain here with the lady.”

Ceren raised his eyebrows. “I’m surprised he could spare you. He says there aren’t enough men at Old Castle these days, that we’re ‘vulnerable’ to attack.”