The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

said. “She’s a duchess from Liadia.”
    I continued my admiration of the room as the woman repeated my manufactured history, occasionally shooting pitying looks my way. As long as they believed my story, it didn’t matter that I was in a palace filled with enemies, biding my time until I could go back to my ruined kingdom and scrape it off the ground.
    James returned and handed me a glass of wine. “My lady.”
    I thanked him and took a tiny sip, just enough to wet my mouth. The room was warm, and being Julianna, pretending that I didn’t hate everyone here, was exhausting. But I couldn’t risk getting drunk and revealing something I shouldn’t, either. I needed to stay sharp. Focused.
    â€œYou’ve said you don’t do much dancing,” James said. “What do you enjoy doing?”
    Forgery? “Writing letters. Drawing.” Picking locks? “Puzzles.” Fighting? “Sewing.” I kept my tone pleasant—as pleasant as Julianna might, given her recent trials.
    â€œI’d love to see some of your artwork.” James sipped his wine. “I’ve never had much opportunity to learn, but we have many fine artists in Skyvale. Many pieces are in Skyvale Palace, but I don’t have the knowledge to tell you anything about them. I simply enjoy looking.”
    I dulled my tone a little. Just enough. “Unfortunately, all of my drawings are still in Liadia.”
    James pressed his mouth into a line and nodded. “Of course. If you want to take up drawing again, though, I’m sure supplies would be provided.”
    â€œI don’t want to be an inconvenience.” But really, what did I care about inconveniencing anyone here? Some other time, I’d reference this conversation when I asked for large sheets of paper and a selection of colored inks. The prince’s best friend and cousin said I should ask, after all.
    â€œI’m sure you wouldn’t.” He continued inquiring about my hobbies and favorite things—animals, seasons, paintings—until the next dance was announced and couples began assembling on the floor. “Ready?”
    We set our wineglasses on a shelf, and once the dance began, I circled my questions around his job and habits and promise to show Melanie and me around the palace.
    The song ended, but as James and I returned to our wine and settled into conversation, another tall figure approached.
    â€œJames. Lady Julianna.”
    James flashed a pale smile and turned a fraction to include the newcomer. “Your Highness.”
    I curtsied and murmured a greeting.
    Prince Tobiah stood beside his bodyguard. The two were of similar height, both with lanky frames and hidden strength. But James stood with a fierceness the prince didn’t possess; he stood like someone ready for an attack at any moment.
    â€œI was hoping I might beg a dance from Lady Julianna.” He offered his hand, palm up and fingers extended. The wool jackethe wore must have been stifling, but if he was uncomfortable, he didn’t show it; his expression remained somber. Bored.
    James’s eyebrows arched up, but he stepped aside.
    â€œI’d be honored, Your Highness.” I smiled at James once more before placing my hand in Tobiah’s.
    A memory welled up, like blood from a thin cut, of standing on a ledge and watching my city burn. My hand in Tobiah’s.
    Tobiah Pierce and me: this was why the Indigo Kingdom had won the One-Night War.

SEVEN
    I SWALLOWED HARD and reminded myself where I was and when—and who I was pretending to be.
    â€œWatch out,” James called as the opening chords played. “She’s a terrible dancer.”
    I forced a chuckle and fell into step with the prince, in time with the tempo. “Your cousin is quite the gossip.” When his expression didn’t change, I urged lightness into my voice. No matter how I felt about him, I needed him to like me—Julianna.