urge to return his smile. Instead, I untangled my arm from his and went over to the fireplace, putting some distance between us.
I scanned the mantel, but no swords adorned it, so I dropped my gaze, looking for a poker or something else I might use as a weapon, along with the dagger in my boot, should the need arise. Sadly, I didn’t see anything like that, although the fireplace itself was quite unusual.
At first glance, it seemed to be made of gleaming onyx, but then I realized that vines of liladorn had punched through the gray stone and curled around the fireplace, like fingers stretching out in search of warmth. The way the vines and their long black thorns curved made it seem as though the liladorn was supporting the wall, instead of the other way around.
I trailed my fingers over one of the vines, which was as smooth and slick as glass, yet rock-hard and strangely flexible at the same time, just like Grimley’s skin. Curious. I would have to ask Helene what she knew about liladorn when I returned to Glitnir.
If I returned to Glitnir.
Footsteps scuffed, and servants streamed into the library, carrying everything from linens to silverware to crystal carafes filled with fruit juices. The servants bustled over to a table close to the fireplace and deposited their items with quick, practiced efficiency. They retreated, and another wave of servants entered, carrying platters of food. In less than two minutes, the servants had laid out a feast fit for a prince.
“Lady Armina, given your ordeal over the past few days, I thought you might enjoy a quiet breakfast,” Leonidas said.
“Exactly how long have I been convalescing in Myrkvior?” I asked. “Everything is a bit of a blur.”
“I came across you on the afternoon of the twenty-third. We arrived at the palace late last night, and it is now the morning of the twenty-fifth.”
So I had been down in the mine for roughly half a day before he had rescued me, and I had been unconscious for more than an entire day after that. Topacia would have immediately alerted my father and grandfather that Leonidas had spirited me away from Blauberg. They all had to be worried sick, but I couldn’t do anything about that right now.
“You must be hungry,” Leonidas continued. “So I had the servants prepare extras of everything.”
He seemed determined to maintain his lies about who I was and what I was doing here, so I decided to play along. Since he had referred to me by my fake name and title, I dipped into a shallow curtsy before rising and addressing him.
“How thoughtful. Thank you, Your Highness.”
Leonidas smirked at my snide tone, as though my petulance amused him. “Oh, Lady Armina. There’s no need to stand on formality. Please call me Leonidas.” He gestured at the table. “Let us eat.”
Once again, I had no choice but to do as commanded. Leonidas pulled out a chair, and I dropped into it, grateful to sit down, since I was still tired. He moved around the table and took the seat across from mine.
Leonidas nodded at the servants. “Thank you. That will be all.”
The servants left the library. One of them pulled the doors shut behind her, leaving me alone with the prince. Leonidas tilted his head to the side, and his eyes narrowed, as though he was using his magic to make sure that the servants had really retreated.
“I hope you like blackberry pancakes,” he said, shaking his head in warning. “They are one of my favorites.”
His voice wasn’t any louder than normal, although he was clearly putting on a show for whoever was lurking out in the hallway.
“Of course,” I replied, matching his fake politeness. “I’m quite famished after my long journey from Ravensrock and especially my ordeal with those horrible bandits.”
Leonidas arched an eyebrow at my sarcastic emphasis, but he gestured at the platters of food. “Then please eat.”
My mouth watered, and my stomach rumbled even more loudly than Grimley’s did whenever he waxed poetic about plump wild turkeys. I piled a plate high with the aforementioned blackberry pancakes, along with smoked sausages, fried potatoes, fresh fruit, and cheeses. My stomach kept rumbling, demanding food, but I waited until Leonidas had taken a bite of everything to make sure that the dishes weren’t poisoned. When he didn’t keel over, I started eating.
Light, airy pancakes stuffed with tart blackberries. Hearty sausages seasoned with sage. Golden brown potatoes sprinkled with dill. I quickly polished off