Chapter 43 Little Things

Chapter 43 Little Things
Fiona

The way Liora lowers her eyes and obeys with the stiffness of a soldier who no longer wants to serve, hurts, but I'm going to fix it.  He is not going to ruin her first night in a pretty dress because he's petty and jealous. I almost growl at him. I want to smack him off his stupid high horse and shove his face in the damage he's causing by dying on this hill.

Whatever happened between Cara and her past lover was years ago. She is married and pregnant with the man he chose. Why is he still so pissed off about it? Why punish Liora for his grudge against her sister? Maybe I'm wrong and it's not about Cara, but about me that he's pulled Liora away. That makes me feel worse, honestly. He was definitely jealous seeing me with Dante. I knew it before he even spoke, just based on how he came over. I might have enjoyed it, too. Watching Varek's control crack is the best entertainment I've had since coming to Caldara. I turn back to find that Cara’s eyes are on me. For a moment, I see Liora in her expression. There's the same fire in her eyes, but it seems brighter with her own grudge and hotter with her own plans. I wonder if those plans could align with mine. I smile sweetly at her, turning toward her and Philip.

“King Philip, congratulations on your ascension, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Tell me, how are the ports faring? Are the trade ships still moving smoothly, I hope?”

Philip beams as if I’ve asked him about his newborn child and glances at Dante. “Oh yes, yes—well, as smoothly as the seas allow. Storms have been harsher of late, but Dante has kept everything moving.”

I glance at Dante. His nostrils flare almost imperceptibly. His gaze follows Liora, glowing softly as his wolf rises to the surface. There's interest and hunger in his eyes. I'm glad to find that little gift of medicine wasn't just being nice. He's interested in Liora.

It's perfect. I glance at Cara to figure out if she's noticed and what she thinks about it, but she's still looking at me.

“Dante, I didn't think you'd ever come this far inland,” I say, keeping my tone teasing and turning my head toward him, though my smile is angled at Cara. "What brought you? It couldn't have been me."

“Lovely bonus, but no,” Dante says, voice even. “At present, I manage Caldara’s supply, and I actually came to raise the rates.”

That sounds true to characters. Philip clears his throat, his voice pitching nervously.

“You're old enough and still unmarried. You ought to be thinking about legacy, about a proper match. A wife would—”

“I can find my own wife, and quite frankly, you and your father have been letting Caldara get off light for years,” Dante says flatly. "Queen Cara agrees."

Philip winces. Before he can shove his foot any further down his throat, I slide an arm through Dante’s. His bicep goes rigid beneath my touch, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, his lips twitch with the beginnings of a smile.

“Perfect opportunity to multitask, I say.” I tilt my head just so. “I’ll introduce you around, make a proper lord out of you. Perhaps even a proper king.  Isn’t that what a good wife would do?”

Philip sputters. Cara’s eyes narrow with suspicion etched in every line of her face as she studies me. I can tell she's hearing what I need her to, even if she can't fully understand it. I smile brighter and tug Dante a step into the crowd with me, like we’re partners about to dance.

As we walk, I steal a glance across the hall to where Varek and Ronan lead Liora. Varek’s back is turned, his shoulders taut as he stalks out of the hall. Ronan seems to be just as tense, but Liora looks back at me. Her gaze focuses on my arm twined with Dante's. A flicker of pain goes through her eyes, then resignation, and she meets my gaze with a pained question. I wink at her and nod slightly at him. The faintest flicker of surprise crosses her face, she breaks eye contact with me for a moment, her eyes widen, and her lips curve into a small, bashful smile before dropping and turning back to follow Ronan and Varek.

I glance at Dante to find him still watching her disappear. She looks back again, just before the doors close, and I know they're looking at each other. 

"Come on then," I say. "We have mingling to do."

I tug Dante deeper into the crowd, leaving Cara and her husband behind. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lucian slip toward the far archway, the king of Hyath falling into step beside him. Their heads are bent close together as the door closes. It was too perfectly timed to be a coincidence.

What would Lucian have to talk to the king of Hyath about?

“Who first?” Dante asks, pulling my attention. "I've got a lot to learn if you plan on marrying me off to a princess."

I smirk. "I suppose she is a princess in some ways."

"What can you tell me about her? Queen Cara has been rather reticent about her elder sister."

"She's got a hard shell."

"Probably all the scarring."

I laugh. "In more ways than one, yes. She is loyal, strong, a great warrior, a semi-decent lady-in-wait." He laughs at that. "And she deserves the full fanfare."

He smiles, looking at me. "I'm more than agreeable to the full fanfare, but since you're using me in a scheme, I expect your aid."

"Well, let the lesson begin," I say, and sweep my gaze across the hall. Most of the nobles cluster among their allies, their daughters hovering nearby to be evaluated. The courtesans drift around, eyeing me every once in a while, waiting for me to leave Dante's side. Whether they wanted a good time for the night or to forge a more permanent connection didn't matter.

Dante was as good as Liora's husband if I have anything to say about it, and since I currently have Varek by the balls, I probably have more to say than even he thinks. I steer Dante toward a trio of lesser lords, swilling goblets of wine and grimacing.

"Not the usual quality, but what can be expected?"

"It's not the worst."

“King Tethren,” I say smoothly, drawing his attention.

King Tethren had been to Solara several times for many reasons. He was an ally of my father's and had a great love and respect for finer goods.

"Princess Fiona," he greets. "Good to see you in good spirits, having been here for so long. I heard about the siege. I suspect you were already here." He glances over me. "Are you alright?"

"Never better," I say, grinning and meaning it. "Thank you for your concern."

"Is it true Caldara seasons nothing?"

I chuckle. "Only for the day-to-day, I'm sure. Herbs are hard to get here."

He shook his head. "Dreadful existence. If I weren't hoping to get myself a good son-in-law, I wouldn't have come!"

I chuckle. "Of that, I have no doubt." I gesture to Dante. "May I present Lord Dante of the southern ports? He commands the ships that supply a lot of the continent's specialty goods, including red grain."

His eyes brighten. "Red grain bread is the best in the morning!" Tethren nearly spills his drink in his haste to turn to Dante to greet him properly. "I would offer my daughter to you, but I sense you're a man more swayed by coin, rather than lineage. If I'm wrong, do let me know!" He slung an arm around his shoulder. "Come, let's chat! I have several people you should meet… Can you get Murik wine to your port?"

"We often do."

"Fantastic!"

I smile, speaking with the king Tethren had been talking to. I let him call his son over, who is kind enough but seems wary of claiming to have any interest. I can't tell if that's because of what he's heard about happening in the palace, the fact that I'm not dressed lavishly, or if he assumes Dante has an interest in me.

It doesn't matter. I don't plan to show any interest in any of these young men or their older counterparts. I join him and Tethren as Dante is escorted from group to group, weaving through the hall. Several daughters from other kingdoms make eyes at him, and he's polite, but he's not kissing anyone's hand or doing much more than an incline of his head. Every bow, every simpering giggle at something that wasn't funny, shifts the mood of the gathering.

Slowly, I’m turning this gathering from an auction to a business opportunity to forge connections.

I smile as I turn to look up at the tapestry hanging near the ceiling of the hall. I hadn’t gotten a good look at it when we came in, but I’m more than certain that it depicted the last mating ball Caldara hosted.