Page 56 of The Fae Queen's Revenge

“Was that an offer or a threat?”he practically snarled.

“I don’t know,”Tes said.“I wouldn’t admit my identity. But she’s offered to give me any information she gains about the king if I bring her tea and cake each afternoon. It has potential, but we’ll have to see. Step carefully around her.”

He forced his grip to loosen on the plate.“Always.”

Ber had suspected there was more to Lady Selesta than a placid shell. Now that it was confirmed, he would have to keep greater watch on her. She could be an ally, but he’d once believed the same about her brother. So Ber would have to do his best to observe without making the king think he had any interest in her. He couldn’t do anything to rouse suspicion.

So he found an innocuous spot to stand so he could shove down the unwanted slice of cake in relative peace. He had to. He would never forgive himself if he brought the wrong kind of scrutiny to his wife.

Chapter 27

Tendrils

It was an eternity before the king finally left the receiving room, but Ber waited for a while longer before he followed. The last thing he wanted was another discussion with Ryenil while tensions were so high between them. And since Duke Aony and his sister had departed with the king, waiting provided another benefit—it kept him far from Lady Selesta.

Ber had nearly completed another circle of the room when Lord Ilduin slipped up beside him. “I anticipated a claim through marriage, but not quite like this,” the man murmured.

Yes, Ilduin had warned him that Aony would make a play for the throne. Not that Ber had ever doubted it. “Perhaps,” Ber replied softly. “Though a more difficult connection for such a goal.”

“Not insurmountable.” Ilduin studied him for a moment. “I’ve had my doubts about you, but I have certainty about him.”

Ber lifted a brow. “Observation or suggestion?”

“Ah, Prince Ber, I welcome both observations and suggestions about my woeful blade work,” Ilduin replied, his voice lifting pointedly. Probably because Lord Cenfren had eased nearer. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to offer advice when next we are at the training grounds?”

“I would be happy to, Lord Ilduin.” Ber smiled. “Join me for the afternoon session? We can exchange tips. Perhaps you know a method I don’t.”

The lord laughed. “I doubt that, but thank you for saying so, Your Highness. If my schedule allows, I would be honored to join you.”

They bid farewell with pleasant ease, but annoyance scratched at Ber’s nerves as he finally exited the room. Ilduin either wanted an alliance or had information about Aony. Potentially both. Unfortunately, Ber would have to wait to find out which. Yet another annoyance amongst many.

A feeling only heightened when Halueth slipped up beside him in the quiet corridor. “Do you need my aid today, Your Highness?”

Ber frowned at the man. “Have you completed your previously assigned task?”

“Of course, Highness.”

“Then perhaps you might accompany me as my bodyguard during a quick trip into the city,” Ber said. They would be able to speak more openly there. “There is someone I would like to speak to about recent events in the gardens, but I would rather not draw attention by summoning them here. Dress simply.”

Halueth saluted. “It would be my honor.”

“Meet me at my door to my rooms in an hour,” Ber said. “I would like to change clothes and rest first.”

At the guard’s ready acknowledgement, Ber continued to his room. Perhaps a discussion with Cairi, the globemaker, would be of benefit, although at this point, it was more of an excuse to get out of the palace with Halueth. It didn’t really matter if the woman had helped Tes, not now that he and his wife had reconciled.

Then again, it was always better to know one’s allies.

The bulkof her disguise finally removed, Tes dropped into her seat and collapsed against the back. Her entire body ached from the tense fear that had claimed her as she’d escaped the receiving room. She’d wandered through crowds of nobles many times over the centuries, but she’d never worried so much about her father detecting her energy. Before, he could have dismissed a brush of it, perhaps thinking she’d passed near the room. When she was supposed to be dead?

That wouldn’t be so easily explained.

As soon as he’d started circling the room, her heart had jumped to a frenzied beat, and it had already been pounding from her strange discussion with Selesta.Thatunusual lady was a variable that Tes didn’t like, even if her instincts insisted that the interaction had been a genuine one. It was simply impossible to predict whether the lady would become an enemy or a friend.

Gods knew Tes had few enough of the latter. She’d lived her life under the constant shadow of double-crossing nobles and shifting alliances. The only people she’d ever dared to call friends were Ber and Ria. Although…she could possibly claim such a relationship with Toren and Mehl, if a bit more tenuous. She’d left Speran in their care, so part of her must have considered them such.

Speran. Oh, I shouldn’t have thought of Speran.

The fear and hurt she always kept at bay surged through, and pain bloomed in her chest until she rubbed her palm against her breastbone. Her poor baby had to be confused about her absence. How was he doing? Was he crying? Was Toren able to calm him? The longing to ask stole her breath, but her mentalrange could never reach across such a vast distance. Only Ber could do so because of the twin connection with his brother.

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