27. James

27

JAMES

I was convinced that nothing could be more mind-numbingly tedious than enduring yet another reception filled with people I had no interest in.

This was my third such event in as many weeks, and far from improving, they were becoming less and less effective as a distraction from the dark thoughts that plagued me.

It was torturous. I was surrounded by a flock of overzealous women eager to prove their worth as potential partners, accompanied by their equally ambitious chaperones—usually their parents or aunts and uncles—who did their utmost to corner my father and mother and extol their proposed candidates’ virtues.

Not everyone had received the memo that I was allowed to make my own choice regarding marriage, which was fine by me. The more people pestered my parents on the subject, the fewer irritations I had to suffer, especially since I didn't even have Jeffry's nervous tics and twitches to provide a modicum of entertainment.

It had been just over three weeks since Jeffry had killed Adina. He'd vanished from the palace for several days, and when he'd finally reappeared, he'd looked as though he'd been swimming in sand. A nasty cough from the dust and dirt had plagued him, taking over a week to subside.

Too bad it hadn't been toxic enough to finish him off entirely.

The sole comfort I could derive from the whole sordid affair was the noticeable cooling of the relationship between my father and his cousin in the wake of the dungeon incident.

Jeffry remained as fawning and ingratiating as ever, but my father seemed far less susceptible to his machinations. Now that it was crystal clear I wouldn't be marrying Lavanya—she'd been unceremoniously sent packing after proving incapable of going more than five minutes without shouting at one of us—Jeffry's star was rapidly declining, and he was acutely aware of it.

Good. I hope you spend a great deal of time pondering whether or not I'll be able to convince my father to separate your head from your shoulders, you miserable excuse for a human being.

Except, death was too swift a punishment for him. I wanted him to suffer for what he had done to Adina and me, and I wanted that suffering to last a long time.

I'd find a way to make him pay.

But first, I needed to survive this interminable reception.

"—about the new show, Your Highness?"

"I beg your pardon?" I said, making no effort to disguise the fact that I hadn't been listening.

I didn't even remember her name.

The woman's lips thinned with irritation, but she soldiered on. "I was inquiring if you'd heard about the new show playing at the Promenade?"

"No. I never venture to the Promenade. The entertainment offered there is of no interest to me."

At least I'm not there anymore.

"Oh, but this one is mobile!" she interjected, catching me off guard. "Not at all like the stationary projectors along the riverside. This is cutting-edge technology from the East. The woman who brought it here is said to be fabulously wealthy and talented, and she's practically royalty in her own right. She's revolutionized the entertainment scene. Her holograms are visible even in broad daylight, not just at night! And they're all interactive as well—truly a marvel. And..." The woman leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "That's far from all. It's said she arrived on an enormous hovercraft, never wears the same outfit twice, and?—"

"Josephine," an older woman chided, bustling over and eyeing us suspiciously. "You shouldn't fill the prince's ears with tales of this foreigner."

I was grateful her mother had supplied her name, as I hadn't the faintest idea who I'd been speaking to.

Josephine pouted. "But it's all anyone in Londabad can talk about, Mother! And James hasn't even seen it yet!"

"Prince James," I corrected firmly. "Or 'Your Highness.' However," I continued before she could blush too deeply, "I must admit I'm intrigued by this remarkable new technology."

Most of what we had, had either been scavenged from relics or brought from the great cities in the East. We were good at maintaining what we had, but we were not good at innovation.

"I wonder what the chances are of persuading her to perform at the palace," I said.

"Or you could come down to the Promenade," Josephine suggested slyly, inching closer. "It is quite spectacular, and I would be more than happy to show you around."

"No, thank you." The last person to walk with me along the Promenade was Adina. I could still feel the warmth of her hand in mine and hear her melodic voice in my ear as she shared clever little asides about everyone and everything we passed. I wasn't prepared to replace those memories, not by a long shot. "But I would be very interested in hosting this show here at the palace."

"Then I would be delighted to inform the?—"

"If you'll excuse me, please." I inclined my head to the mother-daughter pair, then made my way over to my mother, who stood alone by one of the windows, a glass of fresh, frothy lassi in her hand and a distant look in her eyes.

She had been wearing that expression frequently of late as though lost in her thoughts. I knew she and my father had engaged in a terrible row after she learned of what he'd sanctioned, and it was clear they remained at odds.

I tried not to derive satisfaction from their discord. I wanted my mother to find happiness, but at the same time... why should she be permitted to marry into the royal family while someone like Adina was ruthlessly cut down?

Not that I'd asked Adina to marry me, but perhaps... someday, in a different future...

It doesn't matter now .

"Mother," I said as I approached. She blinked once, then smiled at me with what seemed like relief.

"James."

"Have you heard about this new show down on the Promenade?"

"Oh yes," she said, sipping her drink. "Doesn't it sound marvelous? I've never encountered technology quite like this before. We're fortunate indeed that Princess Aramar chose to share it with us."

Now, it was my turn to be taken aback. "You know her name?"

"Mm, yes. She's the youngest daughter of the king of Edinbai, a city over a thousand miles to the northeast. Our communication and trade with them are quite limited, of course, but it seems the princess wishes to change that."

This was news to me. "Has she already presented herself to Father, then?"

"No, this wasn't intended as an official state visit." My mother leaned in, lowering her voice. "I believe she's on the outs with her family for some reason. It appears she's come here to stay and brought a veritable treasure trove with her." Her eyes twinkled as she regarded me. "Would you care to meet her?"

I couldn't muster much enthusiasm for yet another princess, treasures or not, but... "I'd like to see her show," I admitted.

"Then I'll make the arrangements." She patted my arm affectionately. "Have faith in me, my darling. I won't let you down again."

My throat tightened with emotion. At least one of my parents didn't view my reaction to recent events as unreasonable.

"Thank you." I leaned to kiss her cheek.

"Of course, my dear."