Victoria Taryn did not walk back to the guest suite; she marched, a terrifying force of mint-green silk and contained fury.
The moment the heavy oak door clicked shut behind them, Victoria dropped the facade. She whirled around, her icy blue eyes blazing with a panic Kaia had never seen before.
"He is holding you hostage," Victoria breathed, her voice trembling.
Kaia stood by the fireplace, her hand resting instinctively over the pocket that held Aeron's pearl button. "He was defending the honor of the Sun-Throne, Victoria. You heard the Emperor. Breaking a betrothal—"
"Do not quote imperial law to me!" Victoria shrieked, losing her composure entirely. She paced the length of the Persian rug, her hands balling into fists. "Honor? You think that display in the salon was about honor? He practically spat in the Grand Duke's face! He turned away a fleet and a king's ransom in diamonds!"
"It was a political calculation," Kaia tried weakly.
