“Because I see the way you look at her,” Nyssa admitted, heart knotting. “I’ve seen the way youusedto look at her. And the difference… I know that your love for her… it’s… it’sreal,” and Nyssa sighed as she peered up at him, noting the bob of his throat and the relaxation of his shoulders.
“Whatever you two have is more real than I think I will ever know,” she continued. “And I think that if seeing the way you two are with each other is the only time I ever know what it looks like to love someone, I would be okay with it. Because believing in the two of you is like believing the Deads will rise. It’s certain and encompassing. And I do not know a greater trust than that.”
Draven seemed to let the words settle in him. He looked back out at the ocean, a faint glisten in his gaze. Nyssa resisted the urge to reach out for his hand and instead hugged her arms around her chest, an argument in her mind over what to say to him next.
“Draven?” Nyssa said after a few silent moments passed.
“Princess,” he said without looking at her.
“They… They’re going to betray you,” she finally admitted, and Draven slowly sighed his head into his hands as if he’d expected her to say those exact words.
“I know,” he said before glancing her way and turning just slightly so he was open to her. “But I wonder what makes you so sure of it.”
Nyssa fumbled with her hands, knowing had she been in Rhaif’s study that this would have been a different conversation—one that would have led to an argument about why he had told the Dreamers to lie.
“Ash rubs his wrists when he lies,” she said softly. “Reid toys with her bracelets when she gets nervous. And Rhaif…” She paused, wondering if she should tell him what else she knew.
At that moment, Nyssa made a choice.
And she chose her sister.
“Rhaif isnevergoing to send aid,” she told him. “He has no intentions of helping or allowing the villages to help. Reid only said those things so war did not break out over the table as I’m sure she is terrified of Drae… They are cowards. All of them. Blind cowards that would rather see your realms burn than believe that these ships are even real.”
“What do you believe?” he asked her.
“I believe my sister,” she answered. “I believe you. And I do not believe that the two of you have marched beings six days travel for the ships not to be a real threat. The Honest have only ever visited Magnice a few times for trading. Their leading Commander and Lesser One would not have traveled all this way for nothing.” She paused for a moment as the wind circled around them, and she wondered if it was from the sea or from him as she contemplated the things to tell him.
“Rhaif is scared,” she continued. “And I think he will do anything to keep our people in the dark about the dangers on our shores. I wonder if he is hoping the ships will destroy you.”
Draven seemed to consider all she’d said as he looked back out over the ocean, a sternness in his brows, and a twinge in his jaw.
“Never let someone make you feel small, Nyssari,” Draven said solemnly. “I am not your brother, and I will not tell you how to command a kingdom. But you have something more valuable to this war than I think you realize.” He straightened as though he would walk back inside. “And standing up to your sister this morning was a good start,” he added, making a smile tremble on her lips.
Heat rose on her cheeks at the memory, and Draven’s smile widened. “That was entertaining,” he continued. “Aydra was proud.”
“Of my standing up to her or taking to bed the person she told me not to?” she blurted out.
Draven chuckled under his breath. “Both, I think.” He grabbed the drink from the floor and straightened over her. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“There’s something else,” she blurted, and Draven paused. She swallowed beneath his gaze, as she thought about the Bryn Elder, wondering if he would get angry at her for mentioning anything about it. “I… The Bryn Elder—“
Draven shifted, eyes knitting, and Nyssa emerged more nervous, still she had to get it out.
“She began to squirm when you brought up the Infi and her eyes drew left,” she said fast. “Whether that was because she was being called out on it due to Drae or because of something further, I’m not sure. This is my first time seeing her in a room, so I cannot be sure… but I thought you should know.”
“Maybe…” he considered. “I’m sure Morgin didn’t much like Aydra speaking to her as she did,” he continued. “But thank you for telling me. I’ll keep an eye on her and have Hagen do the same.”
“I wish I could tell you more,” she admitted.
But he waved her off. “Find your voice and command the world instead,” he winked as he started to back away towards the door. “You don’t have to be the largest person in the room to command it, Princess. Remember that.”
He turned on his heel then, just as Dorian caught her eye from inside, and Nyssa’s stomach knotted at the realization that that was the most prolonged conversation she’d ever held with him.
“Draven?” Nyssa called out before he could leave her.
He paused on the threshold. “Yes, Princess?”
“Thank you,” she managed, still fumbling with her sleeves.
