Page 68 of The Never List
“What is it?” I finally ask as we ride the elevator up and up and up.
“That dress,” he groans. “You’re always a challenge.”
“How so?”
“How am I supposed to sit through this likely boring dinner with you looking like that?” he asks.
I bite back a grin. “We could always come up with an excuse to leave early.”
“Fuck, Rylee,” he says on a whisper. “You have no idea—”
The doors slide open, stealing the rest of his sentence.
“Kal!” Jullian Erhart—Kal’s father—calls from the spacious dining hall, all glittering gold and sparkling diamond tones.
“Father,” Kal answers, ushering us through a foyer and into the elegant room. The double doors of the dining hall close behind us. A long, rectangular table large enough to host forty people dominates the center of the space, with smaller tables fanning out around the room’s edges. They’re all empty, of course, but I suspect this is where the kings host grand events for their beloved dukes and earls.
I try to put that out of my mind as Kal stops at the table, releasing me to greet his father with a hug. Brooks Bertrand—Pierce’s father—flashes me a soft, calculative smile as he stands next to Jullian Erhart. Baydel Lavine and Lucas Dawson stand behind their chosen seats in the middle of the table, facing us.
“Your majesty,” I say, nearly forgetting to bow and doing so quickly when Kal’s father turns his attention on me.
“Please, call me Jullian,” he begs, his hands gentle at my elbows as he urges me to rise. “And no bowing tonight.”
Baydel coughs harshly across from us, and I swear I see a hint of annoyance in Jullian’s eyes. “They’re here,” Baydel says flatly. “Let’s eat.”
I wait to sit until the kings have taken their four spots on the other side of the table. Kal elects to sit right across from his father, which puts me directly in front of Baydel when I sit on Kal’s left.
Perfect.
I try not to squirm as Baydel’s eyes linger on my neckline, then my breasts. He’s not making any effort to hide it, either. Jullian is too busy catching up with his son to notice, while Brooks and Lucas seem utterly bored as our dinner is served.
“Did you enjoy my son’s city?” Jullian asks once we’re well into the meal.
I slow my eating, swallowing the bite of roast duck before I answer. “It’s a dream,” I say, winking at Kal.
Jullian offers a genuine smile. “What was your favorite part?”
I set down my fork, contemplating. Flashes of my time in the city race through my mind, so many of those delights involving his son pounding me into oblivion. I highly doubt he wants me to saythat.
“The food,” I admit, and Jullian and Kal both laugh. Brooks and Lucas join in, but Baydel looks less than amused from behind his wine goblet. “I’m a sucker for a good meal,” I say, indicating the plate before me while I take another bite.
“The food,” Baydel repeats, setting down his goblet a little forcefully. “Not the resources he’s acquired to keep us alive and fed during wartimes or harsh seasons? Not theRuby Players, the musicians, or the artists that keep the city economically growing? Not the people who worship the ground he walks on?”
“Baydel,” Jullian says in a warning tone, but Baydel just waves him off.
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from responding, have to look down at the napkin in my lap to keep from glaring. The hatred and disappointment roll off Baydel in waves, yet I can’t find a fuck to give. The man has never earned my respect, thanks to the way he treats the Ashlands, but he crossed a line the first night we met. We’ll never agree, never see eye to eye, and never get along.
But in order to survive this, I have to play my part to perfection.
I clear my throat. “Of course,” I say in a sugary sweet voice I only use when I need to appear weak to powerful men. “I’m fascinated at all Kal and his people have achieved. The increased production of that food I adore so much will be awelcomesupplement to the lower cities who don’t have as much as you do here. The way he and his people have learned new ways to grow healthier and more abundant crops is astounding. And his investment into those who wish to study and master the arts will continue to spread beyond Lumathyst. Those who might not believe they can provide for themselves by doing something they love will cross oceans to live in the Dreamer’s territory.” I flash adoring eyes at Kal. “I can easily see the great things he’ll do when he ascends the throne.” I meet Baydel’s gaze on the last part, unable to resist. He blinks, almost a jolt as he interprets the meaning behind my words.
I choose them, and you’re no longer the biggest bad inLumathyst.
I giggle then, slipping into the role I’ve played so many times for the enforcers—a thoughtless, silly little girl. “But have you tasted the brioche toast at Constance’s?” I ask. “The sugar-and-cream combo is todiefor.”
Jullian and Brooks laugh, the two of them giving me approving nods.
“Brioche toast,” Baydel says, shaking his head as he tucks back into his meal. “What a winner my son selected,” he mumbles between bites, rolling his eyes.
