er

top the grin that pulls at my lips. I catch myself before it fully forms, pressing my han

asual cruelty, like everything he touches should bend to his will. I'm not certain, but I suspect that the spill was his fa

hat he's done, yet doesn't seem the least bit guilty. If any

y smile to show now that

t sincere. "Thank you for saving my dress. You

as though he can't quite be

the floor, as though unsure of what to do with

ful," I continue

h the attention, but I can see a small flicker o

tens as I watch the king and queen of Oceana, his parents, marching toward us with River trailing

Brook from whatever is about to happen. He doesn't deserve this. Bu

e a whip, cold and commanding. His eyes, hard as ice, l

efusing to meet his father's gaze. I can feel the tension radiating from him,

wn, her lips curled in disapproval. "How could you be so careless?"

but looking entirely smug, as if this whole inc

hear. "Always causing trouble. He couldn't even m

mething, anything to defend him, but I'm not sure it's my place. These are hi

king the berating in silence, his shoulders slightly hunched as t

let th

The servant slipped on some ice, and Brook used his magic to keep the wine from spilling on me."

ker to me, but his expres

s, his voice cold. "I fi

Brook's quick thinking saved me from being drenched

ion, but only because I'm a princess, no doubt. "Your Highness, while we a

about using one's magic to help others? He did nothing wron

come next. He's still silent, still not defending himself, and I wonder how lo

ith false innocence. "Perhaps if Brook focused more on his responsi

had some magic that could put him in his place. But I

e was helping. If that's what you consider showing off, then maybe

ty. He turns his cold gaze back to Brook, and for a moment, I think he might say something more-something cruel, perhaps-but in

on their faces that they've come to smooth things over, as they always do. Mother walks with the calm grace of someone who

e benefit of those around us, "we deeply apologize for the servant's clums

it. But before I can respond, I feel a presence beside me, and I turn to see Akin.

se, his voice l

n feel my heart start to race. "Prince River formed a patch of ice under the servant, causing him to s

lood boil. The audacity of him! His childish, mean-spirited prank that nearly ruined the evening, and then he had th

sn

ned. All eyes turn in my direction, waiting for what I'm going to say next. My pulse is pounding in m

ire room has frozen in place. River looks like he's been struck. His face flus

mouth falls open in disbelief, while King Alast

ice cold and commanding, "

hanging on every word. For a moment, I think he's going to deny it, to lie to everyone

ters, his voice barely audib

s, her face contorted with rage. "In front of the entire

ppointment evident. "This is disgracefu

. Yes, they're furious at him for embarrassing them, for causing trouble at a royal event, but they haven't said a word about Brook. Not once

what I'm thinking, but before the words can leave

ftly but firmly. "You've d