“No,” she says firmly, with the tone of a familiar argument. “You don’t know what it would do to the baby.”
There’s a moment of tense silence in the air, but I say nothing.
Noah gives the plate a nudge, too. “He’s right about eating, though.”
“I have an idea,” says Lia Mara. “The two of you can vomit all night and see how you feel about breakfast. Tycho, come eat so I can live vicariously through you.”
I smile. “Gladly. Where’s Jake—”
A strong arm grabs me around the neck from behind, but without dislodging the toddler on my one arm, I catch the hand, twist, and drive an elbow back.
I’m only doing it halfheartedly, because I’m used to his antics, but Jake grunts and falls back anyway. He coughs, then grins. “Damn, T.” He rubs his stomach. “Welcome back. Who said something about vomiting?”
“Again, again!” says Sinna.
I laugh. “Let me eat first.”
Grey stands. “We’re due on the training fields anyway.” He drops a kiss on Lia Mara’s cheek, then stops beside me to do the same thing to his daughter.
Sinna lets go of me to grab him around the neck, looking into his eyes earnestly. “You be careful with your swords today, Da.”
He smiles and flips her upside down before setting her on her feet. “I’ll try my best.”
I lose my smile and wish I’d woken earlier. “Should I join you?”
“You’ve earned a rest, Tycho. Take it.”
Jake claps me on the shoulder, drops his own kiss on Noah’s forehead, then leaves with Grey. I pile a plate with food from the table, while Sinna spins in circles beside me, chattering endlessly. I’m almost as relieved as Lia Mara when a nanny appears in the doorway to take the princess for her morning lessons.
“Did you hear?” Sinna is saying to her as they head into the hallway. “Tycho is going to let me ride Mercy!”
“You’re very patient with her,” says Lia Mara when I sit at the table.
“I missed her,” I say honestly. I glance between her and Noah. “I missed you all.”
Lia Mara frowns. “Grey told me he’s asked you to leave again.”
I slather honey on my own slice of bread. “I know what I signed up for. When he’s ready for me to go, I’ll go.”
Noah chuckles. “You’ll be out on the training field with them in an hour.”
I smile, abashed. “Maybe.” That said, I like beinghere, too. I like their quiet thoughtfulness. Grey and Jake are at home with a sword in their hands, and I am too, but there’s something calming about being with people who wield warmth and empathy instead of weapons.
“Grey has told us about the ‘whisper network’ you discovered with Rhen,” Lia Mara says. She keeps her voice low so we’re not overheard. Her eyes might be tired, but her mind is as sharp as ever. “My sister has already taken the letters to a few key advisers. I know shipments are being searched in Emberfall, but I do not want to spread word of our suspicionshereyet.”
I nod. “I think it took Rhen by surprise how widespread it was.”
“Me too,” she says. “Grey said you were concerned that Alek was so far northwest of the city.”
I make a face. “Maybe it’s just me.”
“Briarlock is such a small village I had to ask one of my advisers tofind it on a map. Alek deals in rich textiles and fabrics. His House should have no business there.”
“I’ll try to find out,” I say. “I can leave today if you prefer.”
“No,” she says. “You need at least a day to rest. Two! I’ll speak to Grey.”
Her voice is strong and decisive, but when she reaches out to pat my hand, it feels like hers is trembling. She really should eat something. I wonder if she’s truly worried about Grey’s magic. Ever since so many died in the Uprising, there have been whispers about whether the king can adequately control it.
