“If I go back in there, it will be to say that you’re forcing me against my will to marry that hideous man. Is that what you want?”
He grabs her arm and gets in her face and I rush forward, stopping myself when they both turn and see me standing there. In this lighting I can see that Farthing has aged considerably, but I’d guess it’s the fault of the sickness more than time.
His features tighten when he sees me. “King Jadon, I’ll kindly ask you to step away while my daughter and I finish this discussion.”
Delilah pulls her arm away from him and then rubs it as she steps closer to me.
“Welcome to Alidonia, King Jadon.” She bows her head. “I wonder if I could show you our museum of fine arts. You seem to have an eye for beauty.” She smiles and God help me, it wreaks havoc on my mind and body when she does. She turns to her father and her smile drops. “Don’t make a scene, Papa. We have a castle full of guests, it’s time we think about them. I will show King Safrin the museum for a few moments in hopes of catching my breath.”
She offers her hand to me and I tuck it in my arm, nodding at her father.
“If your father agrees, please, lead the way,” I say, still looking at the king.
His face is red with anger, but he grits his teeth and nods. “Don’t be long. Your future husband awaits.”
Delilah squeezes my arm hard and I lead her away from her father before she can further anger him.
Once we’re down the hall a few steps, she points toward the glass doors at the end of the hall. “It’s just ahead,” she says.
I feel her father’s eyes on us while we walk away and breathe easier once we step through the glass doors. Floor-to-ceiling art covers the walls and the sight is something to behold. I’d be all about it if I didn’t have Delilah standing in front of me. As soon as the doors close behind us, she walks to the right side until we’re out of sight of her father. She pushes a button and music begins playing, along with a narrator describing the artwork in the room.
“We must walk, but I know where the cameras are. Follow my lead,” she whispers frantically. “Help me. Please. I will not marry that man.”
“Your father will have me and my family killed if we get you out of here,” I tell her.
“I will die if I marry Avaban. There’s something off about him. But even if he was wonderful, I don’t want to marry someone I don’t know! It’s not kidnapping if I willingly go with you.”
I reach out and straighten her headdress that is tilting slightly forward with her hurried movements. She comes to a standstill when my hands brush across her face and she reaches out and takes my hand in hers.
“Please,” she whispers.
Her eyes fill with tears and there’s no hesitation—I’ll do whatever it takes to help her. She straightens the headdress again and we resume walking.
“Is there an attendant you trust?”
“I trust no one at this point. I don’t know why I’m trusting you. My own father has betrayed me.”
“As soon as you can, get out of this outfit. You look exquisite, but it draws too much attention.” I try to ease the air with a teasing tone, but her expression remains rigid. “Cover your hair. All black would be best. Can you make it outside without being spotted—do you know a way out?”
She nods, waving her hand for me to keep going. I look at the artwork, but I’m not really seeing it. I feel the waves of tension coming off of her as if it’s my own.
“Have your phone on hand, but leave everything else,” I continue. “Make your way out of the east gate. If you can reach the ancestral stones, I’ll have our driver stop there. Eden and Luka will keep him occupied while I get you in the trunk. We’ll figure out the rest from there. If you aren’t able to get that far, let me know and we’ll stop sooner. Unless I hear differently, I’ll wait as long as I can at the stones, but I think it’s best that I leave here in an hour and a half…at the least. I’ll make my rounds and try to leave as soon as I can after that.”
She glances around, listening, then nods. “This recording will be done in a few minutes. If all of this fails for any reason, know that I appreciate your attempt to calm me. Even if it’s for the wrong reasons—I’m not naïve, I know there could be a great gain for you to work against my father—but this has returned my heart rate to close to normal.”
She attempts a smile and it doesn’t quite reach her eyes, making me want to move heaven and earth to see a genuine smile from her again. She casts such a tragic figure, here among the masterpieces.
However, I check myself. Never forget she is Vance Farthing’s daughter.
“This could all be a strange setup for you to drag my family down. For all I know, it could be another attempt on my life.” I stop and turn toward her then, staring deep into her eyes. “We’ll have to wait and see how this night ends to know the truth, I guess.”
Chapter Ten
Jadon
When I enter the ballroom again, the string quartet is playing and conversation is still scattered with talk of the princess’s engagement. Eden isn’t at our table and I search the couples dancing, easily spotting her red hair in the crowd. I look around the room, checking the grand clock that hangs over the main wall like it’s keeping watch over all. I need to pace myself, make sure I cover all the bases and still get us out of here on time.
I strategically speak to every dignitary, finding my allies first. It makes the first hour pass quickly. When I tackle the leaders who would love nothing more than to see me fail, I start with King Avaban. He’s never done anything directly to me to display his stance against Farrow, but the fact that he’s aligning with Farthing is a pretty clear indicator. I get in place to greet him, a small gathering surrounding him as the leaders who snivel after Farthing for his approval congratulate him. I see right through them, knowing they want an in with Farthing and think Avaban is the next best bet. I wait my turn, patiently smiling at those who walk away nervously. Cowards, the whole lot.
Luka moves into place next to me and we exchange a look. We talk every day even though our kingdoms are across the world from one another, and by now, I know he sees through this situation as much as I do…without knowing a thing about Delilah. Farthing must have something on Avaban and Avaban, as small as his kingdom is, must have something valuable to offer Farthing. The question is what? What is worth Farthing giving his beloved daughter away like a prized goat?
When it’s our turn to greet Avaban, I let Luka step forward first and watch their interaction. Avaban is a cocky son of a bitch and holds Luka’s stare without wavering.
Luka holds his hand out for me. “And my brother-in-law, King Jadon Safrin of Farrow. Brother, have you met Xang Avaban before?”
“We’ve met. It’s now King Xang,” he says with a tight clench to his jaw. “Jadon, thank you for your congratulations.”
“It’s King Jadon to you,” I say with an easy shrug. “But who’s keeping track? Congratulations on working your way to…would you consider this the top?” I frown and look around the grandeur of the room, the disgust dripping off of my face. What can I say? I don’t like to pretend.