And she didn’t have much to say about it now, as they walked through the hallways together, past the silent bodyguards doing their best to blend in with the walls.
Issam’s phone rang.
Mackenzie stifled an irritated sigh as he pulled it from his pocket and swiped the screen to answer. “Yes,” he said, and there was a new tension in his voice. It made her perk up.
“The ambassadors met?”
Issam blew an irritated breath out through his nose. Mackenzie strained to hear what the voice on the other end of the line said to him. Whoever it was spoke too quickly and quietly for her to make out most of it.
“All right,” said Issam. “Keep me updated.” He ended the call and shoved his phone back into his pocket.
Mackenzie kept her mouth shut for as long as she could, which was about three steps. “What was that?”
Issam’s shoulders were drawn up tight and tense. “I took some of your proposals to the director of foreign affairs.”
“You did?” It gave her a strange flush of pride to hear that from him, especially now.
“We sent an ambassador with a draft of a treaty that would have allowed Al-Dashalid to occupy and fortify the site.”
“And?” Her heart pounded.
“Al-Madiza’s leadership wanted nothing to do with it.”
She wanted to slam her fist into the wall, a punching bag, anything. “My brother-in-law. That’s who you mean by leadership.”
“The only thing our two countries agree on is that the women and children need to vacate the area immediately.”
“What? No—”
“He—the leadership in Al-Madiza thinks that I want the land for military advantage. Against both countries. They’ve taken it as a sign of escalating tension.”
“You could—”
“No.” Issam held up a hand. “No more suggestions.”
They reached the double doors to the ballroom, and two palace staff members opened them. Light streamed out of the doors—light and music and laughter—and Mackenzie wanted to turn right back around and leave.
“Ready?” Issam asked, but his voice was clouded with frustration.
“Yes.”
She took his arm, and they walked into the party, smiles plastered on their faces. Mackenzie felt a million miles away from him. If only he’d talk it through with her. Together, they could come up with a better solution. She’d apologize to her brother-in-law again, if that was what it took.
But there was no time. Issam was swept away from her within a minute, and Mackenzie found herself hanging back, trying to keep her expression neutral.
“Why the sad face?” came a voice from near her elbow.
She had to laugh. “Adira, I thought I was doing better than that.”
“You look miserable.” Her future sister-in-law studied her. “Yes. Miserable.”
“I just got here. How do you know I’m not just…in a transitional expression?”
Adira nodded toward Issam. “Because you’ve got a laser focus on my brother. Is it something he did? Or something you did?”
Mackenzie sighed. “Nothing like that. Really.” She still felt protective of Issam, even during this ridiculous fight, which only irritated her more. “He’s been…distant lately.”
“That’s to be expected,” Adira said matter-of-factly. “The negotiations aren’t going well. Not for Al-Dashalid, anyway.”