Helio’s POV
I had no time to applaud Kalinda for bringing Cindra to the greeting. As soon as we had welcomed the royals from Howling Winds, they were whisked away to get settled. Cindra was banished somewhere, and I was pulled into the meeting room with my mother to listen to her rant about how unladylike Kora was to wear a sword and a cord.
“She’s doing this to insult you,” she seethed.
My father sat silently nearby, a calculating and angry look on his face. It seemed like he was starting to figure out that I wasn’t just telling him bullshit. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” he asked.
I met his gaze. “I think I’ve said all I can.”
He sneered. “Get ready for dinner.”
I left just as Mother launched into a shouting fit about Cindra being there and ruining everything. I wanted to giv
