Every eye found her. Clare resisted the urge to wilt under their scrutiny by straightening her spine.
Princess Serene’s long nails tapped against the table, irritation pulling at her features. “Why does she look like me?”
Newlan eyed his daughter. “I’ve devised a way to offer you more protection.”
She arched a sculpted brow. “You intend to replace me?”
The king’s mouth thinned “Miss Ellington will be your decoy. She will be the target for any assassins that strike, thus ensuring your safety.”
Grandeur glanced at Clare, concern sparking in his eyes. “That will put her in a great deal of danger.”
“Miss Ellington knows the risks,” Newlan said. “She’s been well compensated and she’ll have protection.”
“This is absurd!” Serene burst out. “I don’t need a decoy.”
Newlan laced his fingers on the table, clearly striving for calm. “The threats against you are real.”
“All royals are at risk,” she shot back.
“You were singled out and attacked in the castle.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I know. I was there.”
Newlan’s knuckles bloomed white and his nostrils flared. “I’m doing this for you.”
“You’re doing it for your treaty.”
His arms tensed. “The threats against you will increase as we move forward with your marriage.”
Clare’s mouth dropped open. Princess Serene was to be married?
Serene glowered at her father. “A marriage I’m not in favor of.”
“Serjah Desfan is a needful match for Devendra,” Newlan said tightly. “You know what’s at stake.”
Clare stared. Serene was going to marry Serjah Desfan of Mortise? The presence of the Mortisian emissaries suddenly made more sense, but Clare was still reeling. Mortise was Devendra’s enemy, despite their uneasy peace over the last few years. A marriage between their kingdoms seemed insane.
“Your engagement will be announced in three days,” Newlan continued, unaware of Clare’s struggle to process the conversation. “Emissary Havim assures me a similar announcement has already been made in the Mortisian court.”
Serene’s mouth curled derisively. “So you hired an imposter to ensure your perfect wedding isn’t disrupted by something as trivial as my death.”
“Miss Ellington’s presence could save your life,” Newlan snapped. His face smoothed with visible effort as he turned to Bennick. “What do you think?”
Clare could feel Bennick’s gaze on her, but she refused to meet it. She tried to ignore the flash of heat stealing over her face as he answered Newlan. “I approve of your choice.”
Something about his careful answer bothered her, though she wasn’t sure what. Maybe it was just the sound of his voice that irritated her.
Serene’s nails continued to rap against the table. “I assume this girl is the reason my maids were absent tonight. And you probably intend to put her in my rooms to further your ruse.”
“I do,” Newlan said.
“So I’m to be horribly inconvenienced so you can once again assert your power over me?”
Clare cut a look at the princess. She felt inconvenienced?
The candlelight flashed against the temper flaring in Newlan’s eyes. “I’m sorry if you find the preservation of your life inconvenient, Serene, but this isn’t negotiable.”
The princess’s brow furrowed. “What does this mean for the trip to Mortise? Is she coming?”
“Of course,” the king said.
Panic gripped Clare. A trip to Mortise hadn’t been part of their bargain. But did that actually matter? She’d sworn an oath. Her life belonged to Newlan. If he wanted her in Mortise, she had no choice but to go.
Newlan leaned back in his chair. “As the Mortisians insisted, the betrothal agreement must be signed in their court at summer’s end. The journey is long and your route will be highly publicized. It will be easy for our enemies to attack. Which is why I intend to leave the public travel to the decoy and have you take a different route.”
Serene’s eyes narrowed. “But I have appointments at nearly every stop!”
“I’ve seen your itinerary,” Newlan said dryly. “Balls, dress fittings, teas with noble families—these don’t demand your presence.”
“And the required speeches?” she demanded. “The dedication of your new road? These require a royal presence, not some imposter!”
Newlan’s mouth pressed into a line. “Those rare appointments do require your attention. And you’ll be there long enough to fulfill your duties before turning your tour back over to the decoy so you can travel in anonymity.” The king once again looked over them all. “We have three months to prepare Miss Ellington for this journey. I expect everyone to assist her so she can gain the required skills.” His eyes sharpened. “No one can know about our use of a decoy. This secret is to be guarded by each of you. If I’m betrayed, I won’t have to look far for the traitor.”
Serene marched from the dining room the moment dinner ended. Bennick followed, casting a last look at Clare that she refused to return.
King Newlan rubbed his brow. “Commander, show Miss Ellington to the suite. If Serene resists, send her to me.”
“Of course.”The commander rose and Clare followed suit. She hadn’t eaten much, but the evening’s developments had driven away her hunger. She was eager to escape the room and hopefully find a bed. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.
The commander led her back through the same servants’ passage they’d used before. The silence, apart from their shuffling footsteps, only agitated her further. Desperate for distraction, she said, “I didn’t realize our differences were reconciled enough for Mortise to become an ally.”
“Not all differences have been settled. But Mortise is a valuable trade partner and they have elite warships.” He shot her a glance. “I’m explaining this only so you understand the gravity of your position. You probably grew up on stories of our war with Ryden. They’ve had time to recover and now pose more of a danger than you could possibly imagine. Mortise is currently the lesser of two evils and this alliance could mean our victory in a future war with Ryden. Or prevent it entirely.”
Allies. Enemies. War. It was staggering that Clare was somehow part of such things. Her shoulders tensed against the sudden weight. “Why wasn’t I told last night about the trip
