“Just Alek.” I frown.
Jax may have been telling the truth that he hasn’t seen him in months, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t seen anyone else. That doesn’t mean he’s not carrying messages for other Truthbringers.
I hand Jake the parchment and study the wax seals again. I don’t want to think Jax could be involved.
But he could. I know he could. I remember the whispering with Callyn, the silver they’d spilled all over the floor.
I remember the way he lectured me about privilege and magic. The way Callyn flinched from my touch.
All the joy in my heart has iced over.
“I’m surprised you left them there,” I say hollowly. Jake’s eyebrows go up, so I add, “Instead of interrogating them. Or dragging them both back to the Crystal City with us.” I hold out the seals. I don’t want them in my hand.
Jake slips them back into his pouch. “Alek was ready to draw blades when he saw me talking to Callyn. I’m not starting a war over a few scraps of paper. We’ll see what Grey wants to do.”
I swallow at the implication in his words. “But it doesn’t look good.”
“No.” He sighs. “It doesn’t.”
The horses plod along. I’m tempted to whirl Mercy around on the path and gallop back to Briarlock, to demand answers I’m not sure I want.
“You’re the King’s Courier,” Jake says.
“I know.”
“You have access to the entire royal family—more than just about anyone else—”
“Iknow.”
“I’m not trying to lecture you, T.”
“On the day Alek stabbed me, Jax could have finished me off. I had information from Rhen tucked beneath my armor. But I was also with Jax for hours, shooting arrows in the woods.” I search my memories of that afternoon. The air was sharp and cold, full of snow flurries. There was a sound in the woods—but we never saw anyone. “If Jax were plotting against the throne, he’s had several opportunities to cause trouble. The first time I went to Briarlock was by accident, when Mercy threw a shoe. Alek—or Jax—could have ambushed me then, and he didn’t.”
“Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?”
I sigh. “Both.”
“I’m not saying he’s guilty. I saw his father, and that kid probably has a hellish home life. But … I know what people are capable of when they’re desperate.”
I whip my head around and glare at him. “So do I.”
He doesn’t flinch from my gaze. “I know.”
I flush, and now it’s some combination of anger and humiliation and a whirlwind of emotions I can barely identify. I draw up Mercy’s reins.
Jake reaches out to grab one, and she prances, fighting his grip.
“I didn’t tell you this to upset you,” he says quietly.
I say nothing. I’m not even angry with him. I’m not angry with Jax either, or even Lord Alek.
I’m angry at myself. I should have been paying attention.
I grit my teeth. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Let’s go.”
“One more thing.”
“What.” I all but spit the word at him. Mercy tugs at the rein again, prancing sideways. “Let her go,” I say.
