Page 78 of Rise of the Vicious Princess

She smiled wearily. “I have nothing but faith in you.”

He gave her his crooked smile and escorted her back to her chambers, where Mrs. Sykes waited to get Charis ready for her day.

Charis finished with her last meeting as the sun was sinking below the distant horizon in a pool of fiery crimson. Still no news on Bartho, though no one had returned to the warehouse yet. Still no solution for the ship attacks, though the queen had sent word to other kingdoms to see if any of them were having similar troubles. And now the Rullenvor ambassador was requesting another audience with the royals. Obviously, the High Emperor had decided they’d had enough time to consider his offer.

Charis entered her chambers and then stared in shock as Tal dismissed Mrs. Sykes for the evening.

“Why did you do that? I thought you had something planned for me for dinner.”

“What I have planned doesn’t take fancy hairdos or elaborate gowns. Wear your most comfortable dress and forget jewelry or even shoes if you don’t want them.” He sounded proud of himself, and so Charis obediently went into her closet and pulled on a favorite soft wool dress the color of pale sunshine. She left her shoes off and exited the closet to find Tal in a simple pair of pants and a gray shirt.

“If you are taking me out of the palace in this outfit, I will personally throw you in the dungeon,” she said sternly.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I dare a great many things.”

He grinned, and the light he’d kindled within her brightened. “Let’s go.”

She laughed. Every second of her day was planned down to the tiniest detail. Leaving her chambers without a timetable or a destination in mind felt like an adventure.

Tal led her down the stairs with Gaylle and Vellis just behind them, and then headed toward the east wing. Charis’s heart soared.

He was taking her to Father, and he was right—this was exactly what she needed. It had been almost two weeks since she’d seen him. Her brutal schedule had made sure of that.

Tal and Charis entered the king’s suite and followed Ilsa into the sitting room, where oil lamps spread warm, golden pools of light across the wood floor, and the bank of windows framed a spectacular view as tiny pricks of starlight twinkled to life in the purple sky.

“My sweet girl!” Father’s wan face lit with joy as Charis and Tal entered the room. “Tal, I do thank you for bringing her to me.” He struggled to his feet, swaying slightly.

Ilsa rushed to place the trays on the table so she could catch him, but Charis got there first. Wrapping her arm firmly around Father’s back, she took half his weight against her shoulder and stood supporting him while he reached a shaky hand toward Tal.

Tal stepped forward, managing to move quickly without making it look like he was hurrying. He bowed, and then the king pulled him in for a hug.

Charis caught a glimpse of Tal’s face, of the ache of longing in his expression, and resolved to share her father with him more often. It would be good for both of them. Hildy meowed impatiently and wound around everyone’s feet, already purring.

“Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Tal said.

“My dear boy, the pleasure is all mine.” The king trembled as Charis helped him settle back onto his couch and then perched beside him. “And you’ve been taking good care of Charis. You know she never really thinks about taking care of herself.”

“I’ve realized that, sir.” Tal scooped up Hildy and settled into a chair. The kitten curled up beneath his chin.

The king smiled. “I figured you would.” He turned to Charis. “Very perceptive, this one.”

“And bossy.”

He laughed, a wheeze that ended in a rattle, and patted Charis’s hand. “About time someone with your best interests at heart stopped being afraid to stand up to you. Not that you’re a tyrant, my dear.”

Tal laughed. Charis narrowed her eyes at him, and he tried unsuccessfully to turn it into a cough.

Father beamed. “There, now! I knew the two of you were well suited.”

Tal accepted a plate of fruit, cheese, and crusty oat bread from Ilsa and then had to maneuver it away from Hildy’s inquisitive nose. He was halfway through a bite of dried spiced apricot when the king said, “Speaking of well suited, I wonder if you’ve considered any of the pretty maids who work in Charis’s wing?”

Tal choked on his apricot, coughing until he was red in the face. Ilsa ran to his side.

“Smack him on the back,” Charis said helpfully.

Ilsa delivered a solid thwack to the center of Tal’s back, and he waved the nurse away.

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