Lochlan studies me.
I study him right back. “I promise you, there are people in Kandala right this instant—possibly in this very manor—having fireside discussions just like this one, wondering who will gain my favor, and who is most at risk now that I’m in power.” I sit back in my chair, then lift a hand, indicating the manor the way he just did. “And they’re plotting my death, just like you once plotted my brother’s.”
Lochlan goes very still. After a moment, he draws a long breath, then runs a hand across his jaw. “All right. You’ve got one more.”
“You’re plotting against me?” It would almost be funny if it weren’t all so serious. “Should I call for Saeth, or are you just going to pull my hair again?”
“No, you idiot. I’m on yourside.” He pauses. “I can stay. If you need me to.”
My heart pounds at the offer, and I feel the need to glance away. I don’t want to acknowledge how very much I want to accept. “Unfortunately, ruling a kingdom isn’t like running the streets of Silvesse, Lochlan. Life at court is . . . ?complicated.”
“You taught me to read while figuring out a way to keep us alive, then ended their war and took out Rian’s biggest rival. I think ruling Kandala might beeasier.” He grimaces. “But you’re going to have to help me, because I don’t know who all these people are. I’m sure I’m going to use the wrong fork at dinner or start a war because I have no idea whatbrocadeis.”
“Your fabric knowledge istrulythe least of my worries.”
“That’s afabric?”
I smile in spite of myself, but then it flickers and fades. I keep thinking of the people waiting to watch me fail. Those knots around my heart feel like they’ve begun to tighten already. Acknowledgingwantandneedfeel too close to all the things we always used to hide. Harristan’s letter warns me against it, but I’ve spent too many years protecting myself against any vulnerability, and I’ve already been too vulnerable tonight. Keeping a former rebel leader by my side could have far-reaching ramifications. I already saw Consul Beeching’s look when I told him that Lochlan could follow us to the manor.
I run a finger around the edge of my glass. “This is a truly generous offer, but I can manage.”
“I know you can.” His eyes hold mine.
My heart pounds a little harder, but I say nothing.
He shrugs a little. “You know—it would make Karri feel better, to stay here for Tessa. So she wouldn’t be alone. Especially if Olive leaves.”
“For Tessa, then,” I say. “And Karri.”
He puts out a hand. “I suppose we’ll have to put up with each other alittlelonger. For their sake.”
I clasp it, gripping tight. “You’re learning already.”
The nights are interminable, but the days pass quickly. For all the people I had to talk to as King’s Justice, there are somehow more who demand my attention as king. They all want something from me, and it’s often far more than they’re offering in return. I’m desperate to leave Artis and return to the Royal Sector, but dozens of prosperous families have already offered to host us—and I know that throwing favor to one will cause a tizzy among the others.More than once, I stare at the ceiling of my bedroom after yet another exhausting day and say to Tessa, “I’m so grateful to Harristan for allowing me to start fromscratch.”
Lochlan has joined me for many of my meetings. Everyone is shocked at his presence, but no one questions me. When they questionhim, I’m ready to speak in his defense, but I don’t need to. He’s always quick to defend himself. As days pass, I’m surprised to discover that his unsophisticated manner is rather useful—or maybe I’ve just grown accustomed to it. But he’ll ask questions that no one else would dare to voice, or say things no one else would dare to utter. I still want to hire him a governess with a switch, but I also don’t mind when Baron Pepperleaf comes to pay his respects, and Lochlan tells him he should start packing for the Hold.
Tessa herself is a balm, a constant source of comfort. She wraps herself around me at night and allows me to whisper my fears. During the day, she’s by my side as well, always fearless, always unhesitating in front of the people, always kind.
In my letter from Harristan, I have strict instructions for the week after my return, so exactly seven days after my arrival, I call for a carriage at dawn, and Tessa and I climb inside. I have two dozen guards now, all of whom were among the palace guard before the palace was destroyed, but I know what happened to my brother and I’m still not entirely sold on their loyalty. It’s nowhere near enough, but I haven’t yet put anyone in charge of hiring more. Today, at least, we have Thorin.
Tessa is watching the world pass by outside the window. “Harristan didn’t saywhywe have to do this?” she says.
“No,” I tell her. “Just that he made a promise, and he’d like for me to fulfill it.”
We don’t go far, just down near the docks, to where some narrowtownhouses have been built along the water. It’s not far from the line of tents that still stand, even though the attack on the people in the Wilds is long since over and it would be safe for them to return to their homes. I understand that the destruction was purposeful, and a lot of them don’t have homes to return to.
When we stop, the guards take a position around the carriage, because we’ve already generated a fair amount of gawking.
Thorin opens the door to the carriage and stands at attention. “I’ll knock for you, Your Majesty.”
“No need,” I say. “I’ll do it.” Because that was in my brother’s letter, too.
“He would have come to the manor,” Thorin says. “I could have sent a summons.”
“No,” I say. “My instructions were very clear.”
When I knock, I’m very aware of the small crowd that gathers on the street. I haven’t spent much time outside the consul’s manor yet, and I hate how the feeling of freedom on the streets in Ostriary feels like vulnerability here. Especially when people begin to whisper.
