Page 42 of The Twisted Throne

“So you keep telling me, and so has he been,” Edward replied. “However, that does not excuse him from his duties to the crown. Find him. Remind him.”

“Father, I can find—” James started to say, but he fell silent as the king’s eyes shot to him.

“You have your own actions to answer for, my son,” Edward said. “Alex, find William.”

The queen inclined her head. “As you say, Your Grace.” Then she strode from the room in a swirl of skirts, guards scrambling to open the doors ahead of her.

The moment the door shut, the mood of the room shifted, and Virginia said, “Well, I daresay, you couldn’t get a more honest introduction to the family, Ahnna. And truly, Father, was that necessary?The golden tit of privilege?Really?”

“It’s the truth!” Edward answered.

“Perhaps, but it sounds like something you thought up during a sleepless night and have been waiting for just the right moment to deploy. I can tell when it’s off the cuff as opposed to something you composed while sitting on the privy throne, you know.”

Edward snorted. “Ahnna, this is my daughter, Virginia. Mind yourself around her, for her wit cuts like a knife.”

The Harendellian princess approached, and it was then that Ahnna realized that the young woman’s eyes were not entirely focused on her. Blind. Or, she amended as Virginia pushed herfather out of her way and gripped Ahnna’s arms, near to it. She pulled Ahnna into an embrace, either not noticing or not caring that Ahnna was stiff as a board. “Welcome, Ahnna of Ithicana. I look forward to glorious stories of your adventures, which are surely far more exciting than anything I’ve ever experienced. You shall be the sister I always wanted, because brothers are wildly irritating.”

Ahnna felt her whole body twitch, remembering how she’d said something similar to Lara when she had arrived. Did Virginia suspect her intentions, as Ahnna had of Lara? Was this all an act to gain her trust? To cause her to lower her guard?

She was spared responding as Virginia launched herself at James, arms going around his neck. “Irritating, but I am so happy you are alive, brother. I hope you slaughtered a dozen of those Amaridian fuckers.”

“Ginny, language,” the king murmured, though he seemed amused by her response. “From George’s explanation and Jamie’s report”—he pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket to examine—“we have Ahnna to thank that your brother still breathes.” He scanned the page. “Knocked him forcibly off the ship before it exploded, then guided him to safety through shark-infested waters, and then…sailed with skill and bravery through a storm to escape the Amaridian fleet.” He shoved the page back in his pocket. “Look at you playing the damsel in distress, my boy!”

James’s cheeks turned a brilliant red. “Merely giving credit where it was due, Father.”

“Ha ha! I jest—I’m sure you acquitted yourself as you always do!” Edward pulled his son into a tight embrace, pounding James’s back vigorously. “On my word, they’ll bleed for this. Katarina has bitten off far more than she can chew with this outrage. If she wants war, we’ll bring it to them, sure and true!”

“Oh, we’re hunting down our foe as the sun begins to gleam,” Virginia sang out, her father joining in at top volume. “With a boom and a crash, and a whack and a scream, we’ll cut down the ’Ridians ’til the blood begins to stream!”

The king broke off laughing, then turned his attention to Taryn. “Lady Taryn, we are so delighted that you are here to attend your cousin. I’ve heard a rumor that you’ve a lovely voice. I’ll make arrangements for you to hear the university’s choir perform, for you are sure to appreciate it.” Then he took Bronwyn’s hands. “Princess Bronwyn. Those Veliant eyes are unmistakable. We’ve several members of your family of various generations married into our noble houses, though from what I’ve heard of your unusual upbringing, you aren’t close with them. I should say, your brother Keris writes the most delightfully entertaining letters. Truly a gift for words, that man, and I hope to keep up a frequent correspondence with him if for no other reason than the joy it brings to my days.”

“That should please him,” Bronwyn replied. “The only thing Keris likes better than hearing himself speak is writing everything that he’s said down so that it can be repeated.”

“Ha ha!” Edward grinned. “Good to see you share his wit. Can’t say the same for many of your relations, though I’ve heard only great things of Queen Sarhina.”

“Always a few bad apples on every tree, Your Grace,” Bronwyn said. “Sarhina is not one of them.”

“It is my most fervent wish that she brings peace and prosperity to Maridrina.”

Ahnna opened her mouth to suggest that his wish would be achieved if Harendell increased its exports through the bridge, but Edward turned to her and said, “Your journey has been long, Ahnna, and you are no doubt in need of rest so that you mightprepare yourself for the banquet in your honor tonight. Virginia, would you escort the princess and her companions to their rooms?”

“Of course.” The princess accepted her cane from a servant, then said, “If you would follow me, ladies.”

The younger woman led them out into the corridor, cane making no noise as she tapped it against the thick carpet. They walked to a large staircase that split into two, rising to the second level. Virginia headed upward, mouth moving slightly. Counting, Ahnna determined, the princess obviously having memorized the number of steps, along with a host of other cues to allow her to move about the palace.

Seeming to sense her thoughts, Virginia said, “I was not born blind. My eyes began to fail when I was ten, and I resolved to learn to navigate the world before I went blind, so I am quite comfortable in all of our family homes. I do see shadows and the outlines of figures if the lighting is good, though it is only a matter of time until it will be only darkness.”

Ahnna considered giving her condolences, but instead said, “You seem prepared for that eventuality.”

“Seeing nothing provides a certain degree of clarity.” Virginia stopped before a door and opened it to a room filled with sunshine. “Lady Bronwyn, these are your rooms. Your trunks have already been placed inside, and a servant waits to attend to your needs. If there is any comfort you lack, please do let her know.”

Bronwyn murmured her thanks, then went inside. They carried on down the hall to the next door, and Virginia said to Taryn, “Lady Taryn, you’ll find that your rooms include a door that leads to your princess’s chambers, for I’ve been led to believe that you serve the role of not only her lady-in-waiting but also her bodyguard. Is that correct?”

“Yeah,” Taryn answered, then winced. “I mean,yes,Your Highness.”

“Wonderful. Do let the maid know if there is anything you require.”

They carried on up the corridor, Virginia stopping without hesitation in front of a twin set of doors. Slipping a key from her pocket, she unlocked it and went inside. Ahnna’s eyes flicked back down the hall to where Jor silently trailed her, and he gave a nod.

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