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Rowen stopped and gave me a cursory wave toward a door. I was on my own from there. She was already off, no doubt to get ready for her date. The door was heavy, as if filled with iron, and there were no servants or guards to yank it open. I managed to open it with a good pull.

Prince Fenrick was already seated at a long table. He wore a clean, white drop-sleeve shirt and black pants. His long hair was pulled back in a leather strap.

The dining room wasn’t nearly as sumptuous as Prince Granier’s, but it felt more inviting. A pile of golden brown stuffed pastries sat on a pewter platter, and two matching pewter tankards were overflowing with frothy bubbles.

Fenrick stood and pulled out my chair before returning to his spot at the head of the table. “I hope you’re hungry. Este worked all day on these pies.”

“They smell delicious.” So far, Fenrick had not shown that hedonistic side I’d been so gravely warned about. He wasn’t drunk or slovenly or rude. He’d been quite the gentleman. Could it be that Regnamoor would be my future? That thought turned my stomach some, and suddenly the pies didn’t look nearly as appetizing. I couldn’t see myself living anywhere but Norvale.

I took a few bites. The pie was saltier than I expected, and ale was the only way to wash it down. The foamy drink gave me an instant warm buzz.

Fenrick devoured a pie and then sat back and gazed at me. “You are quite beautiful.”

“Thank you, I think.”

He laughed. “And funny. Two good traits for a wife.”

That comment made the bite of pie feel like cement in my stomach. It was easy to forget that I was not just visiting foreign lands. I was auditioning for the part of wife to a prince. Or in a way they were auditioning for me, thanks to the sorcerers’ outlandish plan. I supposed it was better than ordering my death. That could have solved this whole problem fast.

He drank some ale and set the tankard down. “So, tell me, Raphael, what was it like in the human world? Your mother was quite daring, a real rebel running off to that world to raise you.”

His mention of my mother sent a chill through me. “You tried to stop her. I’ve seen the memory. We were surrounded by wolves, by—Regnas.”

“Yes, I’ve heard the story. Greyhart came to her rescue. He was just a boy, really, but he managed to fight off the men that my father sent. You see, I was just a young boy and knew nothing about our fated marriage.”

“But you sent your—your crew to kill me while I was still in the human world.” I was shocked at my own courage. It might have been because I didn’t feel the least bit uneasy sitting with him in his dining room.

“My father ordered that. I have no such powers … yet. He was only looking after his family’s title. You must know that this is an unusual and difficult situation we’ve all been placed in.”

“Especially me,” I said. “Talk about being born with a target on my back.”

He had a crooked smile like Revel, but Fenrick’s didn’t make my heart melt like Revel’s did. “I’m sorry you were given such a dangerous fate, and I apologize for the attack. It was a mistake, especially given that my father should have foreseen that Mayor Harvet would send Greyhart to your defense. Our men came back battered and beaten. The Valian warrior is still as strong and formidable as ever.”

“Valian warrior? Your friend Gunnar referred to him as ‘vamp trash.’ It seems you have more respect for Revel.”

Fenrick waved his hand. He had big silver and black rings on three fingers. Immediately, a servant rushed in with a pitcher of ale. She filled our glasses. The brew was pretty tasty, slightly sweet and yet earthy and filling, but it was already going to my head.

“Do you think I could have some water?” I asked politely.

Fenrick waved his hand again, and she hurried off to get the water. He sat up straighter. He was tall, with an impressive shoulder span. “I do respect Greyhart, and as far as the ‘vamp trash’ nickname, we Regnas have some sordid history as well. My ancestors originated in the human world in a region called Romania. They roamed the forests of Transylvania for hundreds of years, earning their keep as hired skilled fighters and guards. They earned respect in the region as elite warriors.”

“Interesting. How did you become—” I wasn’t sure how to put it tactfully. The word werewolf was on the tip of my tongue, but I wasn’t sure if that was, as Paxton would say, politically correct.

“I won’t be offended by any word you use. We Regna have heard every insult imaginable, and it doesn’t bother us in the least. Would you like to hear the history on that?”

I sat forward enthusiastically. “I would be fascinated to hear it.”

He smiled again. “I enjoy a woman with a curious mind. As I said, my ancestors were respected and skilled fighters, but eventually our history took a dark turn, much like the Valian’s history when they merged with another culture, the dangerous and menacing vampiric tribes. A large group of Regna warriors were traveling through the mountain passes of Romania when they came upon strangers at a campsite. The strangers welcomed them with food and warm fire, and they told the Regna warriors they possessed superior training and combat methods that would make the Regnas invincible in battle. They put their trust in these strangers and built their camps within their ranks. Then, on the second night of a fiery full moon, as the Regnas slept in their tents, their hosts transformed into a pack of savage wolves. They attacked their guests with vicious bites and left them bleeding and near death. They fled into the night never to be seen again. The Regnas nursed themselves back to health and decided never to speak of that horrific night again. Only one month later, on the next full moon, they transformed into feral wolves. At first, they were overwhelmed with fear and horror, but slowly, they learned to harness the curse and use it to their advantage. The strangers had fulfilled their promise to make them invincible in battle.”

“Except when it comes to Revel Greyhart.” The quip just popped out. My hand flew to my mouth. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.” His black eyes were assessing me. “You’re in love with the Valian warrior, aren’t you?”

I didn’t answer.

“Right, not my business. How do you like it here in Regnamoor? It’s not like Solamere, but we enjoy our lives here.”

“It’s more like Norvale than Solamere, and I consider Norvale my home.”