Page 137 of The Fae Kings' Bargain

Tea Time

Ria lowered herself into her seat with a happy sigh. “Lady Elah is the most pleasant of my customers, don’t you think?”

“Oh, yes,” Ryssa agreed, a smile on her face for the first time since Ber’s visit. “House Maqessi must be solid allies of the Eyamiri family, for Lady Elah appeared genuinely concerned with making you feel welcome. I recommend encouraging any overtures she might make toward friendship.”

Ria shook her head. How long did one have to be a royal princess to gain that kind of confidence? “I don’t know how you can be so sure of her.”

“Oh, I’m not entirely certain of her, of course.” Ryssa shrugged. “But over time, you’ll see that people have…patterns, I suppose. The way she gushed over her dress and emphasized how happy she’ll be to wear one of the new princess’s designs to the ball suggests she’s eager for you to know that she’s an ally. It could be a show, but I didn’t notice any of the sharp edges the sly type tends to hide beneath their smiles.”

That matched Ria’s impression. Not only that, but she’d never heard Lady Elah gossiping about other people even when Ria had been a nameless seamstress working in the shop. The noble woman had always come with either her lady’s companion or one of her close friends, and discussions had invariably shifted to happy topics. Their favorite trends of the season, recent pleasant outings, or their kindest suitors, for instance.

But Ber’s arrival had introduced a new element of doubt into Ria’s heart. Who could tell who told the truth at this point? She sighed. She was in no way prepared for this kind of intrigue. “I’m not sure I can trust my impressions of others,” Ria confessed.

Ryssa’s smile dropped as her gaze slid down. “Perhaps I am not the best to ask. After all, I slept with and then married the worst liar of all.”

There was such a wealth of pain and self-doubt in the princess’s tone that Ria nearly broke and told her of Ber’s claims. For if hewastelling the truth, then Ryssa hadn’t been wrong in her belief in him at all—and based on Ria’s own observations, she had a feeling that was the case. But saying so would betray Toren’s trust in her discretion, and there was a solid chance the princess wouldn’t believe her, besides.

Especially since Ber’s motives made no sense. Why allow his wife to believe he was evil when she was clever enough to be part of the plan? Ria didn’t understand. Unfortunately, the princess couldn’t help her figure it out, since Ria refused to put Toren in a difficult position.

All she could offer was an attempt at comfort. “Even a villain can feel. Perhaps he did have some affection for you, no matter what. Why else would he send you away to die instead of killing you himself?”

“To avoid all suspicion, I imagine.” Ryssa sighed. “Listen, I know he must have said something to High King Toren to try to exonerate himself. Ber is good at spinning tales, as I well know. You needn’t feel bad about asking me to leave if the three of you need to discuss his claims, because I no longer want to hear them. I have no interest in his actions.”

“It doesn’t bother you that he’s now the heir?” Ria asked. “Aren’t you curious what your father is doing, choosing him?”

“My father is the most wretched man imaginable.” The princess gripped her skirts in her hands as though suppressing a surge of pure violence. “Siding with Ber is no surprise. I can’t even describe how hard I’ve worked to find solid proof of my father’s evil, for if I had that, I would challenge him for the throne at once. That, or greet him with a knife in the dark.”

Ria’s mouth dropped open at those harshly spoken words. It wasn’t that she couldn’t sympathize—she had a terrible father of her own. But the princess’s cold, certain resolve sent shivers down her spine. This. This was why Ber might have wanted his pregnant wife away from Centoi at any cost. If the princess learned how far the king had gone in his attempts to take over Llyalia, she would act without considering the possible ramifications.

When Ryssa did find out, she was going to be furious.

No wonder Ber expected her to kill him.

“Are you…thinking to go back someday?” Ria ventured.

“Absolutely.” Ryssa’s hand settled on her belly. “I realize I have no right to ask this, considering how I treated you when we first met, but I would beg a boon of you.”

Well, that sounds ominous.

Ria braced herself. “What is it?”

“Once I’ve healed from giving birth, I plan to ask King Mehl to help me train,” the princess said, meeting Ria’s eyes. “And when I’m ready, I’m going back to free my people from these cruel tyrants. Will you guard my child when I go? Hopefully only until I’ve succeeded, but…possibly forever. I want them to be raised safely, and by someone with honor.”

Ria’s stomach lurched from the grief that swept through her at the sad request. She had only started to imagine what her own child would be like, while Ryssa had to contemplate leaving hers behind. And not for some frivolous reason, either. Thousands of people counted on the royal family of Centoi to be earnest, fair, and honorable rulers. No matter what else the princess wanted, she would not abandon her duty to them.

Ria nearly deflected by saying she would have to speak to Toren, but it would be a waste of time. He’d already claimed Ryssa as family. And considering all she’d recently learned about the Eyamiri bloodline, she knew there was no way he would cast out a child of direct blood, no matter the circumstances.

Above all, neither he nor Mehl were capable of such cruelty. Even if Ria didn’t accept the responsibility, they absolutely would.

“I give you my word,” Ria said softly.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door, and at her call, Feref entered the sitting room, a maid trailing behind with a tea tray. “Forgive the intrusion, Your Highness,” he said. “Since you have another appointment near the lunch hour, I thought you might appreciate refreshments now.”

“Oh, thank you.” Ria smiled. “Though it’s only for a brief repair to a torn seam.”

Feref sketched a bow. “Nevertheless, I would not have either of you famished.”

It amazed her sometimes how kind Feref had become after their initial difficulties. Recently, he’d started to attend to her with nearly the same dedication he showed Toren, though she supposed it was partly because she carried Toren’s heir. Not that she was going to complain even if that was the cause. Such favor from the palace’s chamberlain made life far more pleasant.

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