The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1) - Kiera Cass Page 0,40
I’m proud of my past and my present, so I hope to honor both kings today.”
Every time I learned something new about Silas, I found I admired him even more. “That’s very noble, sir.”
Next to him, Etan rolled his eyes.
“And what of you, Sir Etan?” I asked. “Will you not participate today? Do you not have the stomach for tournaments?”
He looked down upon me as if I were a bug.
“I do not play at wars, my lady. I fight real ones. A lance and a blunted sword don’t frighten me.”
I looked back at Silas. “My cousin has volunteered for the Isolten army many times,” he said proudly. “He fights to keep peace along the border.”
I didn’t like that I was spending time with someone who was fighting against my countrymen, but I couldn’t deny it took bravery to do that.
“Well, then, you have my admiration for your courage, and my compassion for the sacrifices I’m sure you’ve made.”
He sneered at me. “I don’t need either. Not from you.”
I shook my head and gathered my gown. “I’m glad you’ve sheathed your sword today, Sir Etan. If you could do the same with your tongue, you might find your company much more appreciated.”
With another fussy expression, he stormed off, leaving me alone with Silas. Finally.
“I tried.”
He smiled with a shrug. “I know. I like that about you. You’re always trying.”
I considered that. Etan had called me an ornament, Delia Grace took every opportunity to remind me I was a poor student, and my parents . . . well, they found endless fault with me. But Silas kept catching things that I didn’t know about myself. He said he liked the way I thought. And he was right, I had plenty of good ideas. And he said that I tried, and he was right about that, too. I had a hard time giving up.
I found myself wishing I had a reason to stay near him just a little bit longer. Instead, I bowed my head to him to take my leave and walked away, looking back as I went. There was some unnameable thing that I felt when I was near Silas, like there was a string connecting us, pulling on me if I wandered too far. I was starting to think that fate had made our paths cross, but, considering how differently our paths had begun, I couldn’t guess at why. Impulsively, I pulled my handkerchief from my sleeve and let it fall to the ground before rushing away.
As soon as I reached the royal box, I dropped into a curtsy before King Jameson. “Majesty.”
“My Lady Hollis, you look radiant today. How am I to focus on the games?”
I smiled, then nodded at King Quinten and Queen Valentina. “Your Majesties. I hope you slept well.”
Queen Valentina blinked at me, seemingly confused by the kindness. “Thank you.”
I took my seat and tried to pay attention as the games began. As usual, Jameson’s least favorite event, spear on foot, was up first. I couldn’t blame him; it was too slow paced even for me, and I was never sure of the scoring. Some of the other events were much more straightforward.
“Ha ha!” King Quinten shouted. “That’s another victory won by my men!”
“You have superb soldiers,” Jameson agreed amicably. “My father always said so. Though I think the tides will turn once the events are on horseback. Coroans all excel with horses. Even my Hollis rides with speed and grace.”
I leaned forward, taking in the praise. “You are too kind. And what of you, Your Majesties? Do you ride?”
“I used to,” Valentina replied with a faint smile before her husband waved a hand to silence her.
“Not if I can help it,” he answered quickly.
I made a face at Jameson, who understood my exasperation completely, and when he stuck out his tongue in reply, it was all I could do not to laugh.
When the spear event was finally over, the first groups of people came out for the next event: sword. After a few rounds, Silas came onto the field.
“Look there, Your Majesty.” I rested my arm on Jameson’s and pointed with the other. “Do you see the young man wearing no colors?”
He focused on the far side of the arena. “I do.”
“It’s one of the Eastoffe sons. He wanted to honor you both with his performance, so he chose no side,” I explained. “He said it was for both his past and present.”
Jameson considered this. “Very diplomatic, I suppose.”