The cup nearly slipped from her grasp. She lifted it too fast, trying to hide the flush creeping up her neck, and took a hasty sip. The tea went down the wrong way. She choked, hard.
Takoda's head snapped up. "Royal Mother, are you okay?"
Across the table, Dimitri lowered his cup, eyes sharpening. "Dakota?"
Sera was already half out of her seat. "Are you alright, child?"
Dakota wanted the marble floor to crack open and swallow her whole. "I—I'm fine," she rasped, face burning hotter by the second. The warmth wasn't just from the tea anymore. It was spreading like wildfire, ignited by the man beside her who looked the picture of composed concern.
