Page 71 of A Kingdom Restored

“It’s going to be all right, Heath.” Merletta’s quiet voice pulled him from these grim reflections. He hadn’t even realized how tightly he was gripping her hand until she spoke.

“Sorry,” he said, loosening his hold a little. They’d reached the castle’s entranceway, and he stopped to speak to one of the guards on duty. He knew the man by sight, although they’d never spoken. He would certainly know Heath’s identity, however.

“I need to seek an audience with the king,” Heath said confidently.

“You’ll have to come back next week,” the guard informed him.

Heath shook his head. “This is important. I need to speak with him immediately.”

“You can’t, I’m afraid.” Heath turned at the new voice, to see Lachlan striding across the entranceway. “But maybe I can help.”

“Lachlan.” Heath stepped forward to meet the prince. He was uncomfortably aware that he’d been avoiding his cousin since Reka had backed up his suspicions about the involvement of Merletta’s people in the attacks.

The prince’s eyes slid to Merletta. His expression remained aloof and princely, but Heath’s magic curled out from him, testing and revealing. Lachlan was very curious about Merletta’s identity. He would have seen her during her visit the year before, but Heath had taken care that they never met.

“Lachlan, this is Merletta,” Heath said. “She’s a guest of my family, and she brings greetings from her kingdom. Merletta, this is Crown Prince Lachlan.”

Merletta inclined her head deeply to the prince. It wasn’t the appropriate response, but Heath supposed you didn’t learn to curtsy when you had a scaled tail instead of legs and voluminous skirts.

The prince seemed unsure whether or not to take Merletta’s lackluster response as an insult, so Heath barreled on before he had too much time to think about it.

“You know I’d prefer to talk to you, Lachlan, but I really do think I should speak with King Matlock.”

Lachlan gestured for them to walk with him, and the three of them put some distance between themselves and the guards. Plenty of people were milling about the lobby, but all kept a respectful distance, with the exception of Lachlan’s personal guards, who trailed close behind.

“The guard wasn’t baiting you, Heath,” Lachlan explained, as they walked the corridors. “You really can’t speak with my father now. He’s not here.”

“Where is he?” Heath demanded, startled.

“He’s in Arinton,” said Lachlan. “Or perhaps still on his way there. He left late last night and traveled through the night hours.”

“I had no idea he was going on a journey,” Heath said.

The prince raised an eyebrow. “Well, you wouldn’t, would you? Haven’t you been away from the capital?”

Heath squirmed a little at the hint of reproach.

“He didn’t advertise the trip, in any event,” Lachlan continued. “In case you’ve forgotten, someone recently attempted to assassinate him.”

“That’s what I want to talk to him about,” Heath said.

Lachlan shot him a sharp look. He’d come to a stop outside a closed door. Heath had assumed they were heading for the prince’s study, but he realized now they’d gone in the wrong direction.

“You’ve discovered something.” Lachlan’s words weren’t a question. He glanced at the door, clearly frustrated. “I was expected ten minutes ago. My father’s journey was last minute, and there are things I need to see to in his place. But I want to hear whatever it is.”

His eyes flicked to Merletta.

“This concerns Merletta as well,” Heath told him. “I’d be grateful if she could join our discussion.” He frowned. “What precipitated such a sudden journey by your father?”

The prince hesitated, and Heath had the sense he was debating whether to answer.

“I believe he received some urgent correspondence.” Lachlan’s eyes bored into Heath’s, almost as if he was trying to communicate something more than the simple words.

Heath stared back blankly. “From whom?”

Lachlan sighed. “I don’t know.” He set his hand on the door. “I’ll speak to you as soon as I’m free, Heath.” With a slight nod of his head to Merletta, he disappeared into the room.

“What is it?” Merletta had clearly picked up on Heath’s unease.

---