I stared at David in shock. "Emory?"
He watched me warily. "Even though she's from a far-off land, she was raised in a powerful family. And it's clear she was groomed to rule. She's strong and charismatic, but she follows the traditions without complaint. She's… good material for the role," he said as if the words tasted bad on his tongue.
I backed away from him, but he followed me.
"Zara… My heart doesn't beat for Emory, or anyone else. Five years from now she will mean nothing in our lives. I'm only telling you this because you said you had to know what barriers we faced. This is it. The people who care about the crown and the throne, they would choose one of the others. And they badger me to consider them closely. I have to make it look like I'm taking their advice. It's too early to… to reveal my heart. If I do, they'll think you've put some spell on me. They won't take us seriously. That will come with time—"
