“What?” he says.
I put up a hand. “There are rumors all over the palace,” I say quietly, casting a glance at the end of the hallway, where two guards are stationed. “They say two soldiers from Emberfall attacked the guards at the main gate.”
Tycho scowls. “The rumors here are outrageous,” he says, and now he sounds aggrieved. He runs a hand back through his hair, and his strain is clear. “We just needed—” He breaks off, as if realizing perhaps he’s saying too much, to two people who really have no right to confidential information. “We arrived unexpectedly, and we were held at the gate. No one attacked. There’s no need forgossip.”
I frown. “I’m sorry.”
“Once people see you,” Nora says, “the rumors will stop.”
That doesn’t seem to improve his expression. He’s quiet for a moment. “I’m sure you’re right,” he eventually says.
I study him, wondering what’s behind the tired strain. I think of the queen and all her worries. I think of Alek and all his warnings.
Tycho probably won’t tell me if I ask—but he might.
“Nora,” I say. “You’re always first. Go ahead so we don’t keep Verin waiting. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“But I want to see Lord Tycho’s cat—”
“Go!” I snap, giving her a pinch.
“Ouch!” she cries, but she obeys, turning away. “Come watch tomorrow, Lord Tycho,” she calls behind her. “I can’t wait to show you! You’ll have to tell Jax!”
“I promise!” he calls back, but then she’s gone, and Tycho and I are alone in the hallway together.
It’s so odd to see him here—though I’m sure he feels the same about me. I remember the morning Jax blushed and admitted that he fancied the King’s Courier. It was right after Alek came to my bakery the first time, offeringmethe silver he’d been promising Jax. Alek stood there and told me about his mother’s death, and it was the first moment I began to trust him.
It’s jarring to remember thatnow, of all times. Everything got so twisted up so fast.
“What did you want to tell me?” says Tycho, and his voice is quieter.
I blink. “What?”
“You sent Nora away. I assumed there was something.”
I swallow. “I was wondering if you’d tell me why you had to ride through the night.”
He studies me for a long moment.
“IsJax all right?” I add.
He nods quickly. “He’s well. I left him safe in Emberfall. I had to return quickly.” He frowns, and for a moment, silence ticks between us. But then his eyes narrow slightly. “Wait—you said there’s been gossip all day. But you’re with Sinna, aren’t you? The king knows why I’m here. Doesn’t the queen?”
“I don’t know,” I say quietly. “All I’ve heard is that the King’s Courier attacked the gates, and that the king summoned people from the Crystal City for ‘questioning.’ ”
Tycho’s tired eyes flick past me, toward the royal wing, and he sighs. “Did something happen? Between them?”
When I say nothing, his gaze returns to mine. We stare at each other in the shadows of the hallway, and suddenly the weight of untold secrets descends on both of us.
But like the moment my silence inadvertently said too much to Alek, it does the same here. Tycho frowns, and he runs a hand across his jaw. “Iknewthere had to be a reason he was down in the east wing.”
“I really don’t know anything,” I whisper.
“You know enough.” He hesitates. “Is she all right?”
“Yes,” I say quickly—maybetooquickly, because his eyes skip over my face.
While we stand there, his orange cat comes slinking out from under his bed to wind around his ankles.
