Page 53 of Measure of the Stars

“Ferrin comports himself perfectly,” Wes said.“Unless you’re questioning the king’s choice in his guard captain.But I’m certain that he can pick a more refined candidate if he doesn’t mind severely reducing the quality of his personal guard.Doyou mind, your majesty?”

“I do, actually,” Adrien said, beaming as though watching a show at the theater.

“Has my brother ingratiated himself into your family,” Wes asked, “or has he loyally protected two kings through as many attempts at treason by members of the noble court?”

“I’d say the latter,” Adrien said, as the chatter around them died out.Ferrin was watching Wes in what Delauney could only describe as a state of shock as Wes whipped back around to Delauney’s father.“But I’m pretty sure it was five attempts at treason so far.Remember the incident last spring?”

Ferrin sighed heavily.“What.Incident.”

“Oh, right,” Adrien said.“We’re not talking about that one.”

“You may insult my parents all you like,” Wes said.“You can call them conniving, greedy, self-serving social climbers, and I will gladly include a number of epithets to add to the list.But you don’t insult my brother, and youcertainlydon’t insult Delauney, who has clearly worked harder for what he has than you have in your entire life.”

Delauney’s parents stared at Wes in open-mouthed horror.Leo covered his mouth with a hand, probably caught between shock at Wes’ impropriety and amusement.Adrien didn’t hide his grin whatsoever, and Ferrin looked as severe as stone.

Wes bowed stiffly to the king.“Your majesty.”He looked at Leo.“Congratulations on your engagement.Excuse me.”Then, with one a fleeting, terrified glance toward Delauney, Wes fled across the ballroom.

Delauney made to follow, but his father caught his arm.

“Lane,” he said, “surely you aren’t still enamored withthat?”

“For goodness’ sake, Father,” Leo snapped.“Haven’t you done enough?”

That was enough to startle their father into releasing Delauney.“Haven’tIdone enough?”he cried.

Delauney took the opportunity to escape, darting past Captain Ferrin and a wide-eyed King Adrien to trot after Wes' retreating back.He wound through the ballroom, down several winding halls, and into his mother’s Peacock Room, which was designed after her favorite bird.She’d wallpapered it in a design based on peacock feathers, but it only made it look like a thousand eyes were staring at anyone who entered, making it a perfect place for a moment of privacy.Most visitors avoided it.

“Wes,” Delauney said, closing the door after him.“Wes, are you—”

“I just yelled at your parents in front of the king,” Wes cried, turning away from Delauney and pressing his forehead to the hideous wallpaper.

Delauney smiled despite himself.Wes usually didn’t seem to have a problem standing up to authority, but apparently the presence of King Adrien was enough to rattle his unshakable resolve.He walked over to Wes and lay a hand on his lower back.

“Wesley,” he said.“Wes.I have it on good faith that King Adrien is not as intimidating as he seems.”

“I spoke to himdirectly,” Wes said.

“And he loved it,” Delauney said.“The de Guillories are all horrible gluttons for gossip.It’s their greatest weakness.And my parents...well, my parents deserved it, for what they said about you.”

“And what aboutyou?”Wes asked, eyeing Delauney sidelong.

Delauney shrugged.“They always talk that way about me.”

“It’s demeaning,” Wes said.He turned in Delauney’s hold, wrapping his arms around Delauney’s shoulders to pull him close.“They were treating you like a child.Actually, if they spoke that way to a child, it might be worse.It was despicable.”

Delauney leaned into Wes’ touch.“I’m used to it.”

“Well, I hope you won’t be, one day.I hope you’ll never be used to it again.”Wes kissed Delauney’s temple.“And Ferrin was there, to boot.What a nightmare.”

“He seemed...”Delauney tried to pick his words carefully.“Remorseful.”

“I know.”Wes sighed.“I know.Your brother was nice, though.It’s a shame that I ruined any chance of his good favor.”

“I wouldn’t make any assumptions,” Delauney said.“He’s been complaining about our parents since the day I was born.”

“I’ll mark him down as ‘sensible,’ then.”Wes looked up, brows pinched in concern.“Where on eartharewe?”

“The Peacock Room,” Delauney said.Wes frowned at a giant painting of Delauney’s mother flying on a peacock over a golden castle.“Yes, that’s my mother.The statue of the woman carrying a peacock isalsomy mother.”