I inhale to say no, but then I stop.Bailey.
“A stable boy,” I admit. “But he won’t tell.”
“You’d better hope he doesn’t tell.”
I scowl. “Who would believe him?”
“It takes little effort for a bit of rumor to cause a lot of grief,” Grey says. “Especially after what happened with Alek. I don’t need anyone thinking you’re using magic for malicious reasons. And I don’t need anyone casting doubt on your loyalty.”
That makes me flush, and I glance away.
“Look at me,” he says, and because his voice leaves no room for disobedience, I look at him.
“Your loyalty is not in question withme. But there are threats throughout both kingdoms.” His voice is so low that there’s no danger of him being overheard. “Like in Emberfall, we’ve discovered secret messages among shipments here in the Crystal City. We are trying to determine the source, but it’s too widespread, too unfocused. There are no threats, simply declarations of movements and thoughts. There have been references to a game of chess, which we now think stands for the Royal Challenge that Lia Mara wishes to host.” He pauses. “There have been mentions of pawns taking the king.”
I stare at him. “I didn’t know.”
“There are few who do.” He frowns, and for the first time, a flicker of worry crosses his face. “The queen is far sicker with this baby than she was with Sinna, but we cannot reveal any sign of weakness while unrest grows in the streets. It is important that now, more than ever, Syhl Shallow remains aligned with Emberfall.You alonecarry missives between royals. Alek and others like him may imply you are unsuitable because of your birth, or because of your association with me, but thatis because they do not want to call it what it is: a position of power and access.”
I nod, but his eyes are intent on mine, his voice very serious. “Do noteverthink your role is insignificant, or that the choices you make do not have far-reaching ramifications.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I say.
My voice is as serious as his, but it’s rare that I call him that, and now I’ve done it twice in five minutes. He studies me, and I wonder if he thinks I’m being flippant. “Lia Mara suggested that perhaps you should travel with guards.”
I scowl. She doesn’t mean that as a punishment—but it would feel like one.
The corner of Grey’s mouth turns up,almosta smile. “I thought that would be your reaction. I want you to stay here until we speak with Alek. But I told her I didn’t think assigning guards was necessary yet.”
“Yet.”
He loses the smile, but he reaches out to ruffle my hair, ending it with a friendly shove. It makes me feel like a child, which is never reassuring. I bristle.
He notices this look, too. “If you don’t like people worrying about you, don’t show up at the gates half-dead.” He stands, tossing his cloak over one arm. “I need to return to the fields. I’ll let you know once the others return with Alek.”
I can’t wait.
He’s nearly through the door when I call him back. “Grey. Would you really have left Nakiis there?”
He turns. “Yes.”
“Even before you were the king?” I press.
He hesitates. “I was a guardsman before I was the king,” he says. “I would’ve followed orders, Tycho. Whatever that meant.”
He’s said that to me before. It feels more pointed now. I nod.
Once he’s gone, Salam crawls out from under the cot and leaps up to sprawl beside me, erupting in purrs when I rub behind his ears. I don’t understand how I felt so free yesterday, and now I’m one misstep away from being under guard when I leave the castle. I never mentioned Jax to Grey—or even the reason I lingered in Briarlock at all. I wasn’t deliberately keeping any of that a secret, but it feels like one all the same.
Right this moment, I don’t think I mind.
CHAPTER 21
CALLYN
I don’t see Jax for three days.
The banging from the forge has been nonstop, though, so I know he’s busy.
