Chapter 31 Audryn
AUDRYN
The double doors opened, exposing the opulent hall I’d yet to dine in.
A slow melody filled the air. Three men played stringed instruments in the distant corner of the room.
A table—twice the size of the one where we normally sat—stood in the center, with two dozen chairs lining each side.
Aqua cloth adorned with beaded edges lay draped across the wooden backs of the chairs.
An attendant occupied every corner of the room, each impeccably dressed and groomed.
A chandelier hung center, composed of elaborate gold swirling metal in the shape of peaked waves.
With flickering candles casting shadows against the tall walls and beautifully etched molding outlining the ceiling, the room was something out of a dream.
The conversation at the table halted, and all heads whipped in Grave’s and my direction. If I could vanish, I would—but I stood, weighed down in a gown at least twice my size.
“Don’t forget to bow to your prince or he’ll give you more marks to remember him by,” Grave muttered. “Or forget, and Zalzre will feast on the flesh of a royal tonight.”
Ryder stood, eyes darting between King Grave and me. Fuck, I should’ve waited in the hall and let Grave enter first. I was already late, so what would a few more minutes have cost me? Stepping forward, I apprehensively left the comfort of the nearby exit.
Keeping my eyes on Ryder, I closed the distance, my throat dry.
I gave him a pleasant smile, but he remained scowling in the king’s direction.
From the lack of footsteps, I had guessed Grave stayed waiting at the doors.
Maybe he too was worried about the wrath we were about to face for our tardiness.
“Your Highness.” I averted my eyes downward and descended into a low bow, letting the skirts of the gown bubble out around me.
When I rose, I found the prince scanning my exposed tattoo.
And when his eyes landed on mine, I saw the threat behind them; if I thought he was angry at the workshop, whatever he was feeling now was worse.
Silently, he gestured me to the vacant chair with the slightest flick of his head.
I hurried around the table, catching sight of Maris as I made my way.
The pale skin around her left eye had a rosy glow, and bruising was forming around the edges.
I hovered over the narrow chair below, centering myself before attempting to sit in the largest gown I’d ever worn.
Grave took the seat directly across from me, and I didn’t dare look up.
Conversations resumed to a low hum as Ryder sat. With a heavy grip on my upper thigh, he leaned in and hissed, “What made you late, and why did you arrive with him?”
In my periphery, the king stared on as the prince interrogated me, but I didn’t bother looking in his direction. My eyes remained on the empty plate in front of me while I contemplated my answer. Ryder saw what had made me late, and nothing would be enough for him.
“Were you on your back when he offered to escort you, or on your feet?” The prince sneered.
“What? He was at the doors of the hall when I arrived.” I kept my voice low. “I got here as quickly as I could, even jogged halfway. Ask Fisher.”
“I don’t need to speak with a guard to confirm you were late when I have two fucking eyes.” He squeezed tighter, and I recoiled. It was amazing he’d been able to get his fingers around my leg with the three layers of skirts between us.
I shifted in my seat attempting to get his hand loose, but he stayed clamped on my limb.
“And that’s the damned dress you chose to wear from Leanna’s four dressing rooms?” He assessed me. “Could you have used some common fucking sense before you walked in and humiliated me?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I chose one of the three gowns brought to my room.”
Ryder sat back and drained a glass of wine before an attendant quickly refilled it. I almost took a drink from the pre-filled glass in front of me until I remembered proper etiquette required I wait until after the toast.
My eyes shot up to Grave, who had his gaze set on me.
His vision shifted down to the table—below the table.
And then his stare drew back to mine. Onyx flashed in his eyes for half a breath before returning to a dark-brown hue.
My body stilled, and I drew in a shaking breath.
Deciphering which royal I was more fearful of was an impossible task.
“Are you okay?” Leanna’s voice was filled with surprising concern.
“She’s fine,” Ryder answered for me. His fingers thrummed loudly against the top of the table. He knocked back another glass in one fell swoop. And when the attendant went to refill the vessel, Ryder yanked the bottle from their hand. The prince filled the glass and kept the bottle close by.
“It doesn’t seem she is,” Grave growled, “though you’d know it if you let Audryn answer for herself.”
“Shit.” Leanna blew out a breath, and the few dozen people at the table went silent. I’d spent weeks in the castle and had yet to hear her use profanity, even when the other women and I annoyed her.
Ryder and Grave remained locked in a staring match, neither backing down, and silently daring the other to make a move. This dinner was an important one, and it was going to crap. I did the only thing I could think of and stood.
I’d faced greater threats than a table full of drunk men; in fact, I’d faced an entire tavern of drunks on any given night. Plastering a smile on my face, I looked around the table with my glass in hand and stood.
“Good evening to all of you.” My heart fluttered at seeing the dozens of pairs of eyes staring back at me.
“My name is Audryn, and I’ve had the pleasure of spending the last few weeks at Sutton Castle.
” I made a conscious effort to look at each guest; it was the foundation of every good toast. “The time I’ve spent here has been the greatest experience of my life,” I lied.
“The hospitality shown to me and the other women has been unmatched and is appreciated.”
Ryder sat with an elbow on the table and a flexing hand. He was completely incensed, ready for battle. And I was his opponent.
I bit back tears realizing he was anything but appreciative of the toast. “I want to thank Prince Sutton for opening his doors and welcoming us all here this beautiful evening. May the food sate our bellies, the wine warm our hearts, and the conversations enliven our souls.” I raised my glass. “To our future king.”
“Here, here,” voices simultaneously filled the air.
I took a long drink and was instantly yanked down. Barely keeping my glass from spilling, I plopped into the seat with Ryder’s hand still wrapped around my arm, his fingers digging close to the lingering purple blemishes.
Grave’s chair pushed out, and he stood, eyes narrowed on Ryder’s still-clenched hand.
My stare met his kohl circles, and I could no longer blame the change of color on my wild imagination.
Despite starting the book on Kuroden, I hadn’t yet reached the part where it documented the native fae’s magic. I'd never heard of color-shifting eyes.
He inhaled a long steadying breath, letting his eyes drop shut for only a moment before opening them again, revealing the brown globes.
He looked around to those seated at the table.
“It would only be prudent to thank the equally prized royal in our presence.” Grave’s dimples popped as he offered a coy grin. “Perhaps superior in some respects.”
Leanna blew out a heavy sigh.
“Princess Sutton.” Grave continued, his voice oddly warm.
“Thank you for co-hosting what I’m sure will be a marvelous dinner.
Your hospitality offered to Amalee and me has been nothing short of exceptional.
” He raised his glass, and the table hesitantly followed, eyes glancing apprehensively at one another.
“To Princess Sutton, perhaps not the ruler Rivale gets, but the one it deserves.”
I moved to press my glass to my mouth, but Leanna placed her hand on my arm. “Don’t drink,” she warned.
I stayed still and glanced at Ryder, who was sneering at the king.
Grave leisurely took his seat and looked to his sister, who wore a mask of irritation.
Ryder gestured to the group to continue their disrupted conversations.
A low rumble of voices moved through the crowd, though Amalee, Grave, and Leanna sat silently.
The prince turned to face me. “Are you done, or shall I assume you will continue to make a fool of not only yourself, but of me? ”
I lowered my head as Ryder finally released his grip and gestured to a nearby attendant. On cue, a dozen kitchen staff trailed into the room, carrying a dome-covered plate in each hand. I gulped the rest of my wine and put the empty glass down as a plate was placed in front of me.
Still under the cloche, the salted scent of fish wafted up to my nostrils, churning my already nervous stomach. Ryder laggardly refilled my glass. Perhaps he thought if I were drunk enough, I’d keep my mouth shut.
“Dinner is served,” Ryder announced as the shiny covers were removed.
A thick fillet of fish sat on my plate with small silvery-black beads of caviar. Creamed mashed potatoes flanked one side of the dish while finely chopped radishes sat across. My stomach dipped and growled loudly.
The crowd quieted as Draven stood at the edge of the table.
“For dinner this evening, I present to you a lightly seared Bluefin tuna belly with a generous portion of Beluga caviar to complement the natural flavors of the fish. To the right, you will find creamed potatoes made with a salty anchovy oil, and directly across you will see a radicchio salad tossed in a champagne reduction. Enjoy.” Draven left the room with the kitchen staff trailing.