to do whatever it took to get her here—that was what it took.”
Veronyka doubted Rolan would keep his position or his head when all this was through. A part of her was glad for Val’s callousness, but at the same time, Veronyka knew she’d suffer for it too. If Rolan proved difficult to quell or more intelligent than Val assumed, she might very well hand Veronyka over and force her to wed and bed the man to achieve her goals, even if she never allowed them to be crowned. Veronyka was technically underage and too young to marry, but when an entire empire was at stake, rules could be broken and laws rewritten. There might even be a clause about it in the stacks of papers the two bickered and bargained over.
The notary did scratch some portions out, amending statements or adding new ones.
They ignored Veronyka completely, as if she weren’t even there or was unable to understand the proceedings. It never occurred to them that she might want to weigh in on her own future; instead they treated her like a prized horse brought to market.
Still, she did her best to get in the way, leaning over Val’s back to read and interjecting with inane questions—anything to buy Sev more time.
“What’s a betrothal agreement?” she asked, catching one of the headings. Or, more harrowingly, “What’s a consummation clause?”
When that failed, she started pointing out things she knew would irritate Val. Veronyka’s title wasn’t technically accurate on the documents—they’d called her “princess,” not the crown princess—which was sure to annoy Val, who was an elitist and a stickler for proper royal naming conventions. Veronyka also noted that Val was listed in the contract as Veronyka’s “foster sister”—which wasn’t entirely off base—as well as her guardian. Apparently that was all it took to give her complete authority over Veronyka’s future.
When looking at the contract started to make Veronyka’s stomach roil, she sought other ways to kill time. She asked to use the chamber pot, which was both crass and difficult in her outfit—Val flatly refused—and when Veronyka was finally handed a quill and told where to sign, in a fit of desperation she “accidentally” upended the ink pot all over the pages.
Veronyka thought Val might slap her again. She expected Val would have, whether it compromised her false identity or not, if the notary hadn’t promptly produced a second copy.
He was just adding the previous amendments when Veronyka blurted, “Why do we even need this?” All three turned to stare at her, and so she added, “I’m already here, aren’t I?”
While Val stared daggers at her, Rolan straightened, a considering look on his face. He had the air of someone who was self-assured, confident—arrogant—and did not like to be questioned in any way.
And there was something in his eyes that unsettled her. Veronyka realized then that it wasn’t the look of them—they were ordinary enough, dark green and wrinkled slightly at the corners—but rather, the state of mind she sensed when she looked into them. It wasn’t shadow magic, she didn’t think, but just natural human instinct. As soon as their eyes met, she sensed the resentment there, the deep-rooted anger.
He hated her. It was so clear now, as evident to Veronyka as if he’d shouted the words at her.
A chill ran down her spine.
“Why do we need a legally binding document spelling out our betrothal agreement and the resulting political alliances inherent therein?” Rolan’s voice was calm, steady, but tension had begun to gather in the line of his shoulders and the firm set of his mouth. “We need it because of your mother, that’s why.”
Veronyka frowned at that. What did her mother have to do with it?
“I see no one’s told you,” he said, casting a look over his shoulder at Val, whose arms were crossed, her face unapologetic. When Rolan turned to Veronyka again, there was no warmth left in him, the cold hatred in his eyes expanding, encompassing his entire being. “Pheronia Ashfire was supposed to be my wife.”
Silence followed his proclamation. Veronyka was stunned; she couldn’t believe she’d never heard Val or her maiora mention the fact that Pheronia had been betrothed. Meanwhile, she’d gotten pregnant with Veronyka by someone else.
Rolan seemed pleased by her apparent surprise. He nodded and began a slow circuit of the room. When he turned away from her, the corners of Veronyka’s mouth quirked. Val gave her a severe look, but Veronyka couldn’t help it. Everyone had called her mother the