The Queen's Assassin (Queen's Secret #1) - Melissa de la Cruz Page 0,77

knows better than to respond. She’s clearly hiding something and trying to deflect. He’s just glad the tension between them is broken. He’d rather have her annoyed than distant . . .

Even if it doesn’t answer his question about the riches she’s carrying around.

Is she upset about last night? He was very much awake when she pressed herself against him, and it had taken all his discipline to hold himself back, when she was so pliant and soft and close, and he was more than ready and willing. He’d thought about properly rolling her over so that she was under him, so that they could . . .

Hold on. Did she know what she was doing? What she was doing to him? Why are they acting as if nothing happened last night? He can’t take his eyes off her all day, even as he can’t help but notice she spent the entire morning being utterly hostile to him.

Maybe that’s best. They are unsuited for each other, clearly, and neither of them is keen on marriage or a family. She is bent on joining the Guild, and he had made himself believe that the comforts of hearth and home are not his to have until he delivers the Deian Scrolls back to their rightful owner. She is not meant for his bed, or his heart. Yet there is no scarcity of coin, and neither of them thought to let two rooms at the inn. Perhaps he should suggest it, although the thought pains him.

Shadow busies herself by studying the glass vitrines while Cal broods. Not too long after, the door flies open.

“Ah, I see you enjoy my little sea monsters,” the vizier says, voice booming. “My shipmaster is out on the Silvren Sea as we speak, procuring a merman.” He claps his hands together. “Enough of that. Dinner. Tonight. Please! Join me.”

“We’d be honored,” Cal says quickly.

“Just a few friends,” the vizier says. He runs a disapproving eye down Shadow’s dress and then over Cal’s jacket. “Do let me know if you need to borrow something else to wear.”

* * *

A FEW HOURS LATER, Cal and Shadow are seated at the vizier’s glittering dining room table along with eighteen overdressed members of the Montrician aristocracy, all of whom are pointedly ignoring them. Which is absolutely fine, as they themselves are barely speaking to each other.

The meal began at least thirty minutes before, and the guests haven’t been served the main course yet—although platters of roasted duck, broiled venison, sauced hen, and fried pork have been set at the table. Cal has been to grand banquets before, but it has been a long time since he’s been able to feast like this. He’s stuffed full as it is and yet more keeps coming. Even the most formal meals weren’t this elaborate back home. Shadow was smart; she paced herself from the beginning, only eating a bite or two of each. She obviously knew what to expect. He wishes she’d tipped him off. Maybe he should read Crumpets and Cravats after all.

Now the waiters are bringing in a plate with some sort of fish over a bed of asparagus. For the first time ever, Cal just wants a feast to end.

He notices how Shadow pushes food around her plate to make it look like she’s eaten more than she has, and he follows suit. The whole charade makes Cal resent these people even more—what a colossal waste this dinner is. He pictures the children at the fountain, wonders if there’s a way he can sneak some of this food to them. Maybe Shadow can spare some stolen jewelry from her bag. Or whatever else she might have stashed in there.

The vizier stands up and claps his hands. Voices taper off as people lower their forks and turn their attentions to him.

“As you all have noticed, we have new guests with us tonight.” Heads bedecked with feathers and enormous fabric concoctions swivel in Cal and Shadow’s direction. It’s about time they acknowledge the couple’s presence. He continues. “Please allow me to introduce, from Argonia, the Honorable Lord Callum Holton and his sister, the elegant Lady Lila Holton.” He claps his fingers into his palm; his guests do as well. “The Holtons have