I know where you went, and I know what you did.
I have no idea if he spoke true. But even if he’s doing nothing more than fishing for information, my reaction likely said enough. I’m sure he’ll deliver that news to Grey in as compromising a way as he possibly can. He’ll probably wait to announce it in front of a crowd.
Rhen looks at me and lifts an eyebrow. “Politically tricky, you say?”
That almost makes me smile. I’m grateful for their intercession—but mostly regretful that it happened at all, especially in front of them. “Forgive me. He took me by surprise.”
“You’ll tell me if he harasses you again,” says Rhen.
The words light me with a little glow. I’d begun to forget what it felt like for someone to speak out on my behalf. But I grimace. “Please don’t take action at your expense.”
“At myexpense? I am the brother to the king. Acting regent in Grey’s stead. If Lord Alek chooses to attack a member of this court, then the expense will be his own.”
I’m staring at him, half in shock, half in wonder.
Harper smiles, then laughs a little wickedly. “Grey might be good with a sword, and he might have the magic, but when it comes to words and strategy, no one beats Rhen.” She rises on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
He smiles, then traces a finger under her chin. “Certainly not that one. He’s playing a game I perfectedagesago.”
My cheeks warm at their casual affection. I take a step back, intending to excuse myself, to leave them to their own meal, their privacy, their time together.
But Harper hooks an arm through mine and kissesmeon the cheek as well. “Come on, Tycho. I wanted to get back in time to hear the music. Some of Zo’s old musician friends have taken up a tent. We can fill a basket and make a picnic. Walk with us?”
That little glow that lit in my chest builds more fully. I haven’t fracturedallmy relationships. “Yes, my lady. As you say.”
The night air is cool, and widely spaced torches light the paths between the tents. A large open area sits at the center, and a bonfire burns, sparks flaring into the night. The area isn’t crowded, but enough people have gathered to listen to the music that I’m glad I fetched some light weaponry before leaving the castle. The Royal Guard will follow wherever we go, but if I’m walking with the prince and princess, I don’t want to be another liability.
Drums and stringed instruments create a percussive rhythm I can feel through every fiber of my body. I’m not the only one—many people are already dancing, creating long, lively shadows. We find seats on logs that have been arranged around the fire, and I could almost forget the mess I left in Syhl Shallow. But firelight flickers along dozens of unfamiliar faces, and a tiny part of my brain warily seeks the shadows for Alek.
The fire warms my skin as I watch the dancers, though, and a bigger part of my brain wishes I could seek the shadows for Jax. I can close my eyes and hear his voice, a little rough, but never uncertain.
Do you need me to choose, Lord Tycho?
A cool wind slides through the camp, causing the bonfire to flicker and throw sparks. Some of the dancers yip and laugh as they scatter away from the burning embers. The musicians play on.
The morning I left, he held on to me so tightly.
I should have hired him a carriage right there on the spot.
“What are you smiling about?” Princess Harper bumps me with her shoulder.
“Ah … nothing.” I flush and take a sugared pastry from the basket. I’m glad for the cloaking darkness. I wish I knew what Grey had said in his letters. Both she and Rhen are being so kind that guilt keeps pricking at my thoughts.
“Hmm,” she says knowingly, and I smile.
She shifts closer to me, slipping a slice of apple onto a piece of flatbread smeared with goat cheese. “I’ll let you keep your secrets.”
Secrets. The word is a barb, but I know it’s not intended, so I nod. “Much appreciated.”
“Will you tell me their name, at least?”
I look at her in surprise, and she shrugs.
“I’ve been smitten before,” she says, as if that explains everything. “I know the signs.”
For a moment, I can’t say his name. Right this instant, itfeelslike a secret, shared only between us. If I speak his name, I make it more. I make it bigger. I make it real.
“Jax,” I say, and it’s like the wind pulls the name from my lips. Like he’ll hear me say it on the other side of the mountain.
