Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin #2)

Thirty-Three Prince Gluttony

H IGH TEA WASN’T what I expected. The suitors were making the competition into something rather enjoyable. Instead of a dull afternoon of being hounded by marriage-minded mammas and their crown-hungry heirs, I was in the midst of an extremely detailed—and rather enthusiastic—conversation about the proper way to clean a kill.

It had all been highly entertaining up until the point when Val received a missive from one of my spies, then disappeared, leaving me to wonder what calamity had befallen my circle now. I should be the one storming off to see to whatever disaster was unfolding.

Instead, I listened dutifully as the House Wrath suitor continued her story.

“… as you can tell, I rather enjoy gutting any hell beast I can stick a dagger through,” Cobra finished. “Though I find myself often splattered in blood and offal, it’s rewarding to do a good job.”

I offered her a polite smile. Cobra was not only fun to talk to; she was also as striking as the serpent she was named for, with jet-black hair that fell down her back and perfectly bronzed skin. She had full lips that begged to be kissed, and it was a shame that even with that tempting mouth, my mind was elsewhere.

And she noticed.

Her deep gray eyes were fixed to my face, her brows raised in expectation.

I suddenly felt like the worst sort of villain for leading each of these young women on. To me, the competition was a way to distract the realm. To them it meant something more.

They all deserved someone who would give their undivided attention. It wasn’t Cobra’s fault I’d disengaged from the conversation, but I couldn’t explain my distraction.

If it were any other time, I would have considered asking her to accompany me on one of my legendary hunts. Cobra was interesting and would make a fine match.

But this wasn’t any other time, and these circumstances were far from normal.

I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if Val was off to deal with Adriana somehow, and realized Cobra was still patiently waiting for me to speak.

“Your mother must be exceptionally proud.”

“No one can skin a tundra deer like my Cobra.”

“Indeed.” My smile was plastered to my face. I didn’t know how I’d forgotten her mother was sitting with us. Perhaps I’d been distracted by the giant saber she was polishing across her lap. “A skill most valued in House Wrath when planning a future, I’m sure.”

Cobra set her cup of half-finished tea aside and offered a polite curtsy I didn’t deserve.

“Your Highness?”

I blinked at the new suitor seated before me, glancing nervously to her mother. She was golden-haired and golden-skinned, her eyes big and innocent. And familiar…

They were the same shade of clear blue as her sister’s.

“Miss Everhart,” I said. “It’s nice to see you again. Are you enjoying tea?”

She nodded, then glanced down at her teacup.

I waited for her to press her suit, to charm me as the others had tried. I should have known she’d take after her sister and do the exact opposite of my expectations.

I sat forward, my curiosity piqued. She’d been chatty enough during dinner, though it had mostly been about the food and show. Eden had a particular fondness for the pickled hot peppers and spoke at great length about vinegar, of all things.

“How did you enjoy the kitchens?” I asked.

“It was lovely, thank you.” She bit her lower lip, then leaned forward. The move was so similar to Adriana’s I momentarily forgot where we were. “My sister is rather impressed with your home, I think. She loves to read, and our room is well stocked. Though it’s missing some romantic mystery novels.”

I sipped my tea, trying to sort out her game. “I was under the impression your sister loathed anything to do with romance.”

A genuine smile touched her lips. “And yet you had her editor put her on a romantic advice column.”

I felt my own lips twitching in amusement. “Yes, well, I do love to stay scandalous. ”

“A trait you’re well-known for, Your Highness.” She gave me a shrewd look. “I suppose that’s why you sent all those gifts to our home too. To keep the realm talking.”

An image of Adriana’s masked face on the rooftop of the Seven Sins crossed my mind, her new, billowing cloak that sealed her fate flowing behind her.

Best to not reveal the truth about those gifts, or the way I’d unwrapped them.

I cleared my throat and considered loosening the cravat at my neck.

Has it suddenly gotten warm in here? I might need to open a window.

Unperturbed by my lack of conversation, she pressed on. “In fact, I told her you were rather charming and generous. Despite her protests, naturally.”

I narrowed my eyes. “She was opposed to my gifts?”

“Very much so. Initially. Something about the word insufferable made her wary.”

“But she did eventually come around?”

“Not entirely, Your Highness. Though I wouldn’t worry if I were you. She hasn’t cursed your name in at least a week. Which I daresay is progress. Perhaps you ought to try sending her more gifts.”

Eden sipped her tea. And I’d swear the move was to hide that cunning gleam in her eyes. I forced myself to refrain from asking about her sister again.

We both knew sending Adriana any more gifts would be a terrible idea.

“And what of you, Eden? What sort of scandals do you find intriguing?”

She leaned in, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Falling for someone forbidden.” Before I could formulate a response, she straightened up, her disposition brightening. “Regarding my sister, I fear you’ve fallen into the trap she’s laid. She refuses to admit it, but I know Adriana secretly yearns for a happily-ever-after.”

Just not with me.

The thought was unwelcome. For a multitude of reasons.

“Are you and your mother both big readers, too?”

“In a sense. Mamma likes romances with lots of scandals in them, but I like cookbooks, Your Highness. I’m sure after my last request, it should come as no surprise that spending time in the kitchen is one of my favorite indulgences, though Mamma doesn’t permit it often. Or at all. Which was why Vanity offered to accompany me.”

My focus drifted to her mother.

I’d had my staff pull information on every suitor’s family, taking special care with Sophie Everhart. If memory served from her file, she had been ruthless when she’d been hunting for a husband. She hadn’t cared about titles, only wealth.

Adriana’s father was a cunning merchant who’d had enough money to rival the Crown.

I wondered at their obvious change of circumstances. Adriana had been in tears over a broken jar of oil and ruined sheet of parchment.

“If you’d like to visit the kitchens again, you’re more than welcome to. We’ll be sure to keep your mother busy so she can’t refuse.”

“I doubt my mother would refuse you anything if she believed it would help my cause.”

“That’s very forthright of you.”

“My sister and I do share the same blood.”

“Yes,” I said, “I’m beginning to see that very clearly.”

Eden took her leave and the next suitor sat: Vanity, the stunning noble from House Pride. She was another intriguing choice, and if I had been truly in the market for a wife, it would be hard not to consider her.

I thought of the Miss Match column that hit the realm shortly before we’d arranged the tea. Adriana claimed I’d flirt with Vanity, and she was only partly wrong; I wasn’t thinking at all with my favorite appendage. I was considering the tactical aspect. Along with her beauty.

Vanity’s conversation flowed easily, the same as it had last night, her gloved hands reaching out to brush against my trousers each time she laughed.

It would be easy to fall into a flirtation with her. I could see us adventuring through life, laughing and finding common interests. Unfortunately, I’d barely registered anything she’d said, I’d become so distracted by whatever had taken my second from the royal tea.

When Val slipped back into the room, she didn’t need to utter a word.

Something else had gone wrong.

Her expression gave nothing away to my guests, though.

I couldn’t tell if Adriana was to blame or if the dragons had waged another attack on Merciless Reach. The last hour seemed to drag endlessly.

I sat there, smiling and flirting—pretending I hadn’t a care in the realm—until the last suitor had gotten her time with me.

Then I stood, brushed my trousers off, and bade them farewell.

My heart raced as I strode down the corridor, waiting until I heard Val’s tread behind me.

“Well?” I demanded. “What happened now?”