Page 135 of Esperance

“Wait.” Amryn stared at him. “You want to let them go through with their assassination plan?”

“Obviously we’ll take precautions and be on guard, but, yes. We can catch everyone involved and turn the tables on them.”

Argent grunted. “It’s not a bad plan.”

“Of course it’s a bad plan!” Amryn took a step back so she could view them both. “What about the threat to you, Argent? And Jayveh?”

“Oh, Jayveh won’t be anywhere near that room,” Argent said.

Carver shot him a look. “Neither will you.”

The prince rolled his eyes. “Jayveh can be barricaded safely in an unspecified room due to some ailment, and the rebels will still try to kill me. But if I’m not there? I think they’ll notice.”

“No, they won’t.” Carver folded his arms across his chest. “Because I’m going to be you.”

Argent frowned. “We’re not exactly lookalikes.”

“No. But with the feast masks on . . .”

Amryn’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t seriously suggest that our best plan is for you to becomea walking target for a bunch of assassins?”

Considering everything, it was probably an inappropriate moment to remember how those pursed lips had tasted. He shook himself. “It makes tactical sense.”

“No it doesn’t,” she argued. “It doesn’t makeanykind of sense.”

“Theydidmention wanting to kill you, too,” Argent reminded him. “While I appreciate your willingness to pretend to be me, it won’t work. They would still choose to strike with only Jayveh missing, but both of us . . . Besides, if only one of their targets is in the room, they might become suspicious that their plans were leaked.” He looked meaningfully at Amryn.

Carver tensed. Argent had a point. Still . . . “You’re right. I can’t be you, since I need to be there as myself. But there’s someone the Rising would never see coming, because they don’t know he exists.”

Argent’s confusion faded in the space of a blink. “Ford.”

Carver dipped his chin. “Ford.”

Their friend would agree to the plan, no matter the risk. They both knew that.

“We can take advantage of the masks, just like our enemy is trying to do,” Carver said. “We can make the switch close to midnight, so no one will have a chance to see Ford isn’t you. You’ll be safe with Jayveh, and we’ll catch the assassins.” He looked to Amryn. “We’re going to make fake copies of those seals, and you’re going to act like nothing is wrong. If Samuel or anyone else is watching, they’ll never guess the truth.”

“If you’re sure this is our best move, I’ll support it,” Argent said. “But for the record, I don’t love the idea of you and Ford taking this risk. Especially because I’m assuming you don’t want to inform anyone about this.”

“Correct.” If they told the high cleric, or alerted anyone but Argent’s trusted bodyguards, they ran the risk of the rebels finding out.

Argent sighed. “Well, I guess we have a plan, then.”

“I’ll sneak out and tell Ford tonight,” Carver said.

The prince nodded, then focused on Amryn. “Thank you again for coming forward. You have my deepest gratitude, and I will write up your official pardon tonight.”

Amryn bit her lip. “I’m grateful that you’re pardoning me—truly—but . . .”

“Rix and Torin,” Carver said, easily guessing where her thoughts had taken her. “You want protection for them, too”

“They were only doing what they thought was right,” she said. “They’re not embroiled in all of this.”

“I can’t promise a full pardon for either of them,” Argent said with a small frown. “Especially King Torin, since he holds such power. But I’ll be sure they’re given a fair trial, and I’ll do all I can to speak for them.”

Some of the tension dropped from her shoulders. “Thank you, Argent.”

The prince nodded once, then glanced between them. “Confessions of treason and murderous rebels aside, I have to ask . . . Have you two bloody kissed yet?”

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