My pulse races uncontrollably. The elder rambled about the sacred bond, uttering words of reverence—or at least, I think he did. My attention drifted far from his speech. Prince Jorlan appears stoic, though I know it’s his duty to project seriousness. Perhaps it’s meant to be mine, too, but instead, I find myself suppressing laughter.

He inclines his head toward me, loosens his tie with deliberate fingers, and undoes the top button of his shirt. Then, he leans down until I ...