Spellbound

Chapter 20

    Dread was piled like a lump of coal in the pit of Senya’s stomach, enough for her to lose her appetite even in the presence of the palace’s glorious food. She poked her potatoes with a fork, letting out a sigh as she thought about the events that had unfolded the night before.

    “Hey.” A hand blurred across her vision. Senya blinked and looked up to see Liane’s worried face peering back at her. “Senya, are you alright?”

    “Huh?” Senya said dumbly. She shook her head to clear it. “Oh, yes. I’m sorry, were you saying something?”

    Liane frowned. “You haven’t even touched your food. Maybe you should skip the ball tonight as well.”

    It sounded tempting. If she did, Senya could avoid an engagement with Tyrion and be with Alton. But she couldn’t do that. Not after promising Prince Billan to go through with the plan, and not when it would make her look like a coward. No. She wasn’t going to make it easy for Tyrion to get out of it. She had made her peace with the scandal. It was all up to him now. If she was lucky, she wouldn’t have to go through with it, and Alton could still be hers all the same.

    Letting out a small breath, Senya smiled at Liane and shoved a large chunk of potatoes into her mouth. “I’m fine,” she said between mouthfuls. “See? I was just waiting for the food to cool down.”

    That, at least, appeared to appease Liane even if she still watched with suspicion. Senya flicked a furtive look at the clock. It was still early in the afternoon, early enough for a late lunch. In a few hours, Senya’s fate for the next few years would be sealed. Her stomach coiled, and she suddenly wished she hadn’t swallowed down her meal.

    Veira and Ellaine giggled from the other side of the table, already finished with their lunch. In fact, Senya had been the only one who was still eating, and she belatedly realized that her friends had been waiting for her. Guilt piled on her shoulders. She wished she could tell them about her dilemma, but she knew for her arrangement with Tyrion to work, she couldn’t allow them to know it was false. It frustrated her that she couldn’t even warn them of her relationship with him because she didn’t know if he would carry on with it or not. She could only hope they wouldn’t feel too betrayed if she revealed she was ‘in love’ with the arrogant prick.

    Senya held back a groan. How would she ever pull it off especially after Alton had practically confessed to her the night before? She couldn’t even spill the good news about that! Her friends would have all been ecstatic to hear Alton had finally come around, but that might not even go anywhere.

    Why and how had Senya gotten tangled in this mess? Perhaps if she spoke to Prince Billan, she could convince him to find someone else.

    “Do you know Tyrion’s mother is coming tonight?” Ellaine said out of the blue. Senya stiffened, but thankfully, no one seemed to notice.

    Liane pursed her lips and tilted her head at Senya. “Yes, actually. Senya, isn’t your mother really close with her? I’ve heard Mistress Lios was on her deathbed, and your mother managed to save her with her magic.”

    That was news to Senya. She told Liane so.

    “Huh? You didn’t know?” Liane shrugged. “I suppose it makes sense. Your mother has probably saved hundreds of lives. She possibly couldn’t talk about all of them.”

    “I heard she’s lovely,” Veira remarked. “A true beauty from Teillus with a soul just as gentle.”

    Ellaine crinkled her nose. “Makes you wonder what happened to Tyrion, doesn’t it?” She and Liane burst into snickers.

    “Ellaine!” Veira gasped, though even she couldn’t hold back her amused smile.

    Senya tried to smile, but the mention of Tyrion’s mother only made her feel even worse. There was no time to find a substitute. It was either Senya or Pria. Senya hoped Tyrion’s choice would be the latter. Surely marrying a princess and future queen wouldn’t be as horrible as he made it out to be. Tyrion would have luxury, power, wealth. What more could he possibly want?

    A nudge brought Senya out of her brooding thoughts. Liane.

    “Senya,” she said, worry once again shadowing her face. “You’re zoning out again. What’s the matter?”

    Before Senya could answer, there was a hard knock at the door. All four girls started in their seats. It took a couple of seconds before Veira pushed her chair back and stood.

    “I’ll get it,” she offered, quiet as she pondered about who it could be. There was another knock before she reached the door. Whoever it was didn’t have much patience.

    Veira opened the door, effectively shielding both herself and the visitor. Liane and Ellaine glanced over in mild curiosity before continuing their animated conversation. Senya proceeded to continue bludgeoning her food. Her steamed potatoes had turned into mashed, but she still hadn’t the stomach for it.

    “Senya,” Veira’s soft voice lifted the air. Senya looked up in surprise and saw her older friend glance at the visitor, pensive and concerned. “He’s here for you.”

    He? Senya frowned as she got up from her seat. Liane and Ellaine had gone silent, watching her now leave. She worked her way around the dining table and cautiously approached the door where Veira stood in poise. She could finally see out the exit, and her breath caught when she glimpsed who it was.

    “Tyrion,” she breathed. A flare of annoyance flickered over her before her hands became clammy with dread. Why was he here? A hopeful part of her assumed it was to tell her the engagement was off, but the more logical side of her disagreed. There was no need to publicly come see her if he wasn’t going to go through with it.

    “Ah, there you are.” Tyrion’s pleasant greeting confirmed Senya’s fears. He smiled—actually smiled—and held out a hand. Senya was too overcome by shock to stop the instinctive rise of her own. He clasped her fingers and drew them to his lips as if by habit.

    Senya’s cheeks burned, mostly in anger, though she hoped Veira would mistake it for embarrassment. Senya was glad Veira was the one to see everything. Liane or Ellaine would have openly balked.

    “Come,” Tyrion said, tugging lightly. His grip was tight, reminding her that none of this was genuine. “Walk with me.”

    Senya cleared her throat, hoping to wash away any inkling of her dislike from her posture. “O-of course.”

    He guided her hand to the crook of his elbow and led her down the hall. Senya made brief eye contact with Veira and shrugged as she left. She would have to explain it to them later. For now, she needed to know why Tyrion had come to get her so publicly. Already, she could sense eyes watching them, and she knew news of them would reach Pria very soon.

    “Why?” Senya didn’t need to say anything more than that one word.

    Tyrion swore under his breath, still as unpleasant as ever. Senya’s smile tightened. He kept his voice low when he answered, “I’m going to introduce you to my mother now, then formally at the ball.”

    Senya, matching his volume, said, “I…thought you weren’t going to agree.”

    He shot her a glare. It was brief, however, and replaced by a painfully fake smile. “I wasn’t.”

    Senya sniffed, dissatisfied with the non-answer she got. Great. It was really happening. How in the world was she supposed to stomach loving him of all people for the next few years?

    Pretend he’s Alton, she told herself. Her steps faltered, and Tyrion caught her before she fell. Alton! Senya bit her lip. How was she going to face him now? Would he wait for her? But he would have no reason to unless she told him the truth, and Senya had the vague notion that it wouldn’t be the best idea.

    “What’s the matter?” Tyrion hissed. “Stop that! It looks like I’m taking you against your will.”

    “I can’t do this.” Senya shook her head, trying to pull away. “I don’t think I can—”

    “What?” Tyrion was absolutely enraged. He glanced at his surroundings, somehow keeping his temper in check. He breathed in, then in a calm if somewhat detached tone said, “Senya, dear. Maybe we should go somewhere more private to discuss this matter?”

    It was enough for Senya to remain quiet for the rest of the journey. Tyrion kept his pace brisk, his fury emanating from him like a blast of fire. His muscles were tensed, and Senya could feel the strain as he clenched his hands into tight fists.

    He made it to a random room. No, not random. It was the same closet he had trapped her in before. The same damned dark stuffy closet. Senya was not pleased to be back here.

    “Listen here, witch,” Tyrion said, dropping all pretense. “I don’t want this anymore than you do, but you do not get to pull out at the last minute. My mother is waiting, and I won’t let your lack of confidence ruin everything.”

    Senya didn’t have the energy to be furious, though a small spark of anger struck her heart. “I have no obligation. I can’t pretend to be in love with you.” Not when there was someone else.

    “You made a promise with the prince,” Tyrion countered, hitting every guilty nerve. “You made it clear that you were prepared for this. I chose to trust Billan today, I chose to risk everything to make this work. I expect you to do the same. Really, I didn’t think you were a coward.”

    “I…” No. He was right. It wasn’t fair for Senya to run away, and she would be damned if she crumbled at the first hurdle. She drew in a breath, steeled herself for what she was about to do. Alton would have to wait. He deserved to know, and she vowed she would explain everything to him when she got the chance. For now, though, the best she could do was pretend Tyrion was her lover, that he was Alton.

    “Fine,” she said. She had no idea where she had found her patience. “We’ll go through with it. I’m sorry for hesitating. Let’s go meet your mother, then.”

    Tyrion was a tall figure in the dimness of the closet. Senya could feel the heat radiating off him. Anger, she mused. Or perhaps surprise since he didn’t reply. She was glad she couldn’t see his expression or she might not have been able to keep her temper in check. With a sigh, Tyrion opened the door, and bright light cracked through. He managed to soften his expression to something that resembled affection. Senya wasn’t about to lose. She smiled sweetly and resumed their position, her arm linked around his, preparing to meet his mother.

    Very well. Let the game begin, then.