Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) -Jennifer Estep Page 0,84

Armina. I’ve made arrangements for you to sit at the main table with me and Leo.” She gave me a conspiratorial wink.

I bit back a groan at her obvious matchmaking attempt. I would much rather sit at a remote table with some lesser nobles and merchants, but Delmira had other ideas.

“Of course. Thank you, Your Highness.”

Delmira winked at me again. “You’re welcome.” She looked over at Reiko. “I tried to secure a seat for you as well, but there was only one extra chair at the table.”

Surprise flashed across Reiko’s face. She might have performed for Delmira, but apparently she hadn’t realized that the princess had paid that much attention to her. But I was starting to think Delmira Morricone was far more than just a pretty face. She would have to be, in order to survive in Myrkvior, and especially among the rest of the Morricones, for any length of time.

“You and Armina must join me for breakfast tomorrow,” Delmira continued. “I haven’t had a chance to see either one of your jewelry designs yet.”

Reiko bowed her head. “Thank you, Your Highness. I would be honored.”

The princess waved her hand. “Please. I’ve told you both to call me Delmira.”

“Yes, Delmira,” Reiko and I said in unison.

She beamed at both of us again. “Excellent! Reiko, I’ll see you at breakfast. Armina, follow me, please.”

She headed toward the center table.

“Enjoy the spotlight, Lady Armina,” Reiko murmured. “But don’t be surprised if the bright glare burns you alive.”

She smirked at me, as did her inner dragon, then glided away.

I grimaced, hoping her words weren’t a terrible omen and that I could find some way to track down the tearstone and escape from the palace before all my secrets were exposed.

Chapter Seventeen

Delmira waved at me, and I had no choice but to join her at the main, center table. I was hoping she might be seated in the middle, among the less important people, but no such luck. She was at the head of the table, right next to where the queen would be. Delmira slipped into her seat, then gestured at the one next to her. I reluctantly stepped forward, but before I could grab the chair, a hand took hold of the seat and pulled it out.

“Allow me,” a low voice murmured.

My head snapped up, and a delicious chill swept down my spine.

Leonidas was here.

The prince had dressed for dinner in a short, formal lilac-colored jacket trimmed with silver buttons stamped with flying strixes. The Morricone crest was done in silver thread on his jacket, and the symbol was situated right over his heart, like a bull’s-eye telling an archer where to aim. His black hair gleamed, the wavy locks looking almost like onyx-tipped feathers, and he once again smelled faintly of honeysuckle, probably from the soap he used. The intoxicating scent made my head spin and my stomach clench.

This morning, when he had been wearing his black cloak and riding coat, Leonidas had looked like a knight out of some old fairy tale—strong, dark, fierce, powerful. But tonight, he was every inch the handsome, charming, polished, debonair prince. Both versions were far more appealing than I had expected.

“Lady Armina,” Leonidas said, his voice as smooth as velvet sliding across my skin. “Please, allow me.”

Delmira was watching us with great interest, as were the other people at the table, so I smiled, stepped forward, and dropped into the seat, as though I were absolutely thrilled to be the focus of the prince’s attention.

Leonidas drew his hands away from the chair, although his fingertips trailed along my back as he stepped to the side and took the seat next to mine. He wasn’t wearing his usual gloves, and the heat of his skin scorched through my dress. I didn’t know if it was accidental or not, but the light touch made another chill sweep down my spine.

Leonidas looked at me. “Have you enjoyed your time in the palace today?”

“Oh, it’s been lovely, Your Highness,” I replied in an equally smooth voice, aware of the other people still watching us.

No thanks to you, I silently grumbled. Delmira made me try on more than a dozen dresses before she let me pick one to wear.

His eyes sparkled with mischief, and his lips quirked up into a small smile, both of which I found ridiculously attractive. Oh, I knew that you could handle yourself, even when faced with my sister’s rampant love of fashion.

I would have kept silently grumbling to him, but a flutter of