Chapter 29 · The Gilded Trap

"Smile, Princess. You're the guest of honor, after all."

Kael's fingers dig into my elbow through his glove. Hard enough to bruise.

He doesn't even look at me. Eyes straight ahead. Face blank. But his palm's sweating right through the leather.

"Guest of honor or main course?" I say, forcing my mouth into something that looks like a smile. "Can't tell the difference in this lighting."

"Keep talking like that and I'll let Augustus have you," he mutters. He steps in closer. Chest almost against my shoulder. Heat coming off him in waves. "Stop shaking."

"I'm not shaking. I'm vibrating. There's a difference."

"Then vibrate quieter. They're watching."

The Grand Ballroom doors swing open and the noise hits like a slap.

A thousand nobles in silk that costs more than a village. All screaming my name. Not because they love me.

Because they want to see if the disgraced brat actually survived the square or if I'm just a corpse in a pretty dress.

"Look at them," I whisper, leaning into Kael just enough to feel his arm tense. "They're not cheering. They're taking bets. How long till I scream."

His grip tightens. "Then don't give them the satisfaction.