I actively dismiss the idea that he could know anything, not wanting any of my doubts and fears to show on my face. Instead, I raise my chin and glare evenly at the Duke.“You are welcome in our Kingdom,” I say to the Duke who still smirks at me. I allow a little challenge to come into my eyes to let him know I won’t cow before him. After all, as Auden pointed out this morning, I outrank him. I outrank…pretty much everyone.“Though,” I continue, my expression cold, “I would warn you against making claims on things that are not yours. Vivianna, Niall,” I say sharply, turning my head to look at them. “Come with me now. We’ll get you something to eat.”And as I move away my children trail behind me, following eagerly in my footsteps as we move towards a refreshment table on the far side of the tent.“Believe me, my Queen,” the Duke calls after me. I stop in my tracks and turn to listen as my children come to my side, my chin still held high. His smirk deepens as he raises his goblet in m

“This is my sister,” I say, interceding in the conversation and refusing to let them have an intimate moment alone. “Callista de Silva.”“Callista,” the Duke says slowly, turning the name around in his mouth as if tasting it. Then, he reaches for Calli’s hand and raises it as he bows low, pressing his lips against her knuckles and letting them linger for a moment longer than I’d like. “The Queen’s sister,” he says, his eyes flicking to me before returning to her as he stands. “One dark, one fair, but each…a remarkable beauty. What treasures your kingdom does have.”I work hard – very hard – to avoid rolling my eyes at this overdone flattery. But I watch Calli for her response, hoping to hell that she doesn’t fall for it. But she just laughs and tugs her hand away from the foreigner, looking back at the fight as if she hears that sort of compliment every day.“And you?” she asks, not looking at him, saying the words as if she’s bored. “Who are you, sir?”“I am with the Vendan entourage

“Yes, a coup for Callista,” I say slowly, though everything inside me screams no! That too-sly Vendan Duke is not at all what I hope for Calli, for her future. “But…well, do you think his affection is genuine, sire?” I ask. “Or is he merely…playing with her in order to get closer to you, through me?”“Does it matter?” the Mahl murmurs, rolling his eyes in displeasure with the turn in conversation - and, frankly, a little drunk. Any veneer of delicacy or consideration for my feelings has been neatly wiped away. “She will be useful to us – able to report back what he has said. It is good for a woman to be useful.”I work very hard to hold my tongue now and just say nothing, locking eyes with Calli where she stands across the tent, still at Caspar’s side. She gives me a little smile, but I just shake my head subtly before looking up at the King. Then, determined, I begin to beg him to please let me go to bed, to take my sister with me so that I can warn her about the advances of indelica

**Midwinter, 5 and a half years ago**Auden takes a steadying breath as he stands at the doorway to the terrace, his eyes fastened on the girl before him who stretches her hands out above the warm brazier. His fingers clench hard around the two glasses of mulled wine in his hands, betraying his anxiety.God, does she even like wine?What if –But then he growls, shaking his head in frustration and forcing himself to take that first step forward. Because he’s being ridiculous, and it doesn’t even matter. The wine is just an excuse to talk to her – she can throw it off the balcony for all he cares.Auden begins to cross the terrace to her, his footsteps echoing on the stones.She turns when he’s about halfway across, just at the precise moment when her scent hits him again.He has to grind his teeth, resisting the urge to flinch, or groan, or drop the cups – because god damn it, but that scent –It’s incredible - black violets, and saffron, and plums, somehow spicy and sweet – conflicti

“Be cool, Auden,” he murmurs to himself, resisting the urge to sprint for the guard house by the lake and shout for the guards to get the hell out of it.But no. There is no rush – no need to hurry any of this. So he forces himself to take measured steps across the snow and then up the short set of stone stairs to the door. When he opens it, the guards inside turn to him and freeze in surprise.“Out,” Auden says, nodding towards the still-open door.The guards just stare at him.“You have the night off,” Auden continues, making himself wear the mantle of command that he always assumes when commanding his troops. “I’ll take over from here. Go,” he says, jerking his chin towards the door. “Shift, run back to the castle. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the festivities.”While the Alphas have their own party, Midwinter is for everyone. The Betas, Gammas, and Deltas who aren’t working have their festivities downstairs. A few Betas stand up eagerly, ready to go, but still others move