He nodded. "At my side. All evening. You'll play your part, smile when needed, speak when spoken to, and never leave my view."
"And if I make a mistake?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Then you'll have to make them believe it was part of the performance."
Her heart thudded.
The distance between them, so carefully preserved until now, had vanished.
Lucien offered his arm to her, an act that would be seen by every servant, every watchful eye that passed.
Liora looked at his arm.
Then she looked up into his face.
She placed her hand over his wrist and stepped forward, matching his pace.
As they began walking through the estate together, the wind blew gently, carrying whispers of the rumors already beginning to spread. Petra was no longer silent. And neither was its exiled prince.
The night of the banquet arrived.
