Chapter 13
Silence falls as I enter the formal dining room. The princes’ conversations end abruptly as Ivan and I step inside. I will my nerves to calm, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly before pasting my most queenly smile on my face. Or at least, what I hope is.
Bundles of wildflowers adorn the oak dining table in overflowing bouquets. A chandelier of branches hangs over the table, lit candles sitting artfully among them. Each prince sits, handsome as ever, waiting for me.
Waiting for their High Queen.
“Gentlemen,” Ivan says. Chairs scoot back as the princes stand, their eyes fixed on me.
I straighten my posture and stand tall, sending a silent thanks to Ruby for the dress she selected for tonight.
My confidence grows as their eyes rove up and down my body.
The emerald bodice is made of see-through fabric, but red roses are artfully placed on my chest before trailing down the flared skirt.
“Introducing your High Queen,” Ivan says proudly.
August is the first to bow, each prince following suit. All eyes watch me as I make my way to the head of the table where a glass of champagne is already filled and waiting for me. Before I sit, I raise my glass high and look around the table as the princes raise their own.
I take a moment to make eye contact with everyone before speaking.
Each prince is dressed impeccably. Marik and Asmo stand shrouded in all-black tuxedos with matching silver snake pendants pinned to their upper left lapels.
Koa wears a fitted charcoal gray suit, the top three buttons of his crisp white shirt left unbuttoned, revealing the top of his chiseled chest. August dons a fitted white suit with silver accents, the white a stark contrast to his golden-brown skin.
Barrett’s chestnut suit is fitted tight to his muscular frame, his curly hair pulled back into a neat bun at the nape of his neck.
“Thank you all for being here for this unorthodox beginning to my reign. I certainly did not expect to be here tonight, and I know none of you did, either. At least, not under these circumstances.” I pause, looking around the room, noting everyone’s solemn expressions as they recall the reason they’re here: the death of the royal family.
“Regardless,” I continue, “I am happy to be here with you all tonight. Cheers to the beginning of my reign and to finding the next High King.”
Cheers sound around the table, followed by the sound of champagne flutes clinking together. Once everyone is seated, waiters in crisp white uniforms enter the dining room. Ivory bowls float behind them on a gentle breeze of magic as they deposit steaming bowls of creamy soup around the table.
I pick one of the spoons from the utensils in front of me and dunk it into the bowl.
“It’s the other spoon, princess,” Asmo drawls from the other side of the table.
My cheeks warm, but I pretend like I don’t hear him. “What’s that, Prince Asmo?” I ask politely. I promised Elle I’d be on my best behavior.
“You’re supposed to use the larger spoon for soup,” he clarifies.
“Oh, thank you.” I paste a smile on my face and continue to use the wrong spoon.
“Personally, I prefer the smaller spoon anyways. Makes the soup last longer,” August says beside me.
I shoot him a grateful smile and take a sip of champagne. I mentally thank him for not taking this as seriously as it seems the Serpent Princes are. They’re both sitting at the end of the table, silently sipping on their drinks, looking like they’d rather be anywhere else.
“Mae, tell us a little bit about yourself,” Barrett says with a warm smile.
I welcome the easy request. Talking about myself is something I can do. Talking about the histories of the courts and current political happenings, on the other hand…
“I’m twenty-five. My favorite color is black. Before I was High Queen, I ran a bookstore. Although I love to read, I don’t have a favorite book because I can never choose.”
Barrett smiles and says, “Although I don’t own a bookstore, I do love to read.”
I’m about to ask him what his favorite genre is, but Koa turns his head toward me and asks, “What kind of books do you like to read?”
I smile gratefully at the question. I can talk about books all day long. “Hm…I can’t decide between mysteries or thrillers.”
He nods, then asks, “Since that’s the case, any thoughts on who did it?”
The table falls silent. “What do you mean?” I ask him.
“He means to ask you if you have any thoughts on who killed your father and his family,” Asmo says, deadpan.
I slowly turn my gaze back to Koa, who meets it. I muster an icy tone and say, “No, Koa. I do not know who killed my father. Do you?”
He holds up his hands in mock surrender and says, “No. I’m sorry. I thought you might be looking into it.”
Instead of responding, I look at Asmo. His eyes are already on me, and his angular jaw is locked. “Asmo, tell me about you.”
“Why would you want to know about me?” he counters.
“Why would you not want me to know about you?” I counter back.
He lets loose a low chuckle. “You certainly came to play tonight, didn’t you?”
I don’t respond, still waiting for him to answer my original question.
“Hello, class,” he says sarcastically, looking around the table. “My name is Asmo. I’m a Prince of the Serpent House. One fun fact about me is that I’ve visited every region of the nation, unlike our High Queen.” He raises an eyebrow at me in challenge, ready for me to fire something back at him.
Instead, I grin at him and say, “Thank you, Asmo.” I look to Marik, seated on Asmo’s left. “What about you, Marik?”
He clears his throat and sits up straight. “Not many people realize this, but Asmo and I are twins. I also think it’s a cardinal sin if you’re born into our house and your favorite color isn’t black.”
The princes around the table give a polite laugh, and I smile. “No, I had no idea that you were twins. How does that work?” I ask. He raises an eyebrow, confused. “If you are both in line to be king of your court, but you’re twins, how do you decide who gets the crown?”
“Well, Asmo is technically older by a few minutes, so he’ll take the crown.”
I glance at Asmo, and for once, his eyes are not on mine.
The waiters appear in the doorway with the next course of food floating behind them. The bowls in front of us glide away, replaced by a steaming plate of roasted chicken.
I grab a fork from the table and look across the table, only to find Asmo staring back at me.
He gives me a brief shake of his head. “Wrong again.”
My cheeks flare with warmth again. I don’t bother to respond this time.
Beside me, August clears his throat. “Mae, I’m not sure how all of us have failed to mention how stunning you look tonight,” he says, followed by a chorus of agreement.
I blush. He is wildly good-looking. “Thank you, August,” I say.
He smiles, his icy-blue eyes crinkling as they hold onto mine.
“Where is your trusted stag?” Asmo asks, interrupting the moment.
I turn to him. He’s still not eating, only using his fork to shove bites of roasted chicken around his plate. For the Mother’s sake.
“I’m not sure. The last time I saw him, he was still at the foot of the throne. I guess he didn’t feel like joining us for dinner,” I say.
That earns a chuckle from Barrett. Asmo glares at him.
“What about you? Do you have an anaconda that keeps you company on your throne?” I ask him.
“Are you asking to see my anaconda, princess? Because that can be arranged.” He rests his fork on the table and leans forward, placing both elbows on the table as he levels his devilish grin at me.
Heat rises to my cheeks as I think about him sitting on the throne, his hands wrapped around—
Koa clears his throat, interrupting my entirely inappropriate thought. “Can I steal you away for a moment?” he asks, standing from his chair. Before I can even respond, he pulls my chair out for me and offers me his hand. It’s soft in mine as he leads me outside of the dining room.
He pauses and looks around. “I have no idea where to go, to be honest. I just wanted a chance to talk to you alone,” he confesses.
I smile and lead him to an alcove off the hallway that I spotted earlier. There’s a window seat overlooking the gardens, and we sit down, thighs touching.
“I’m sorry for my inappropriate question earlier,” he says, twisting his hands in his lap.
I tense at the unexpected apology. “Thank you,” is my only response.
He runs a hand through his thick brown hair.
“I don’t know what it’s like in the Deer Court, but in the Panthera Court, it’s cut-throat.
We’re a close family, but we’re raised to be predators.
We’re raised to attack. You seem sweet, and I’ve been raised to not trust that, at least not from people in the royal kingdom.
People who come across that way are usually anything but. ”
“I still don’t understand the purpose of your original question,” I say, turning to look at him.
He hesitates, then says, “I was intending to throw you off, to test you. As was Asmo. You can’t be soft in a position like this. None of us knows you, so we’re still trying to feel you out.”
“Barrett and August have been perfectly pleasant,” I counter.
Koa tilts his head to one side as he considers this. “Their courts are different. They raise their young with compassion. In my court, we’re all raised to be the top predators. So far, I think you’re a sweet girl—”
I hold my hand up to stop him. “Don’t say that. It sounds patronizing.”
He sighs. “I didn’t mean it like that. I think you’re a genuine person, and I think you say what you mean.
We’re used to people hiding insults within compliments.
We grew up learning how to be deceitful, and you don’t seem to operate like that.
I wanted to warn you and tell you to be careful.
Don’t trust everyone. Every prince sitting at this table wants you to choose them as your husband.
Everyone wants the crown. Be smart and intentional with whom you choose. ”