That makes her peer at me. “Oh.”
I scrunch up my face and heave a sigh. “And Iwastrying to protect you, Nor. I never know if I can trust him. I never know if I can believe him. Until today, I don’t think I realized that the queen trusts him.”
She sighs, too. “Yes, I think she does, too. She says they practically grew up together. She knows he was involved with whoever was targeting the king, but she knows he’s always been on her side. She told me that when she was a girl, she was always in the corner with a book while his family kept shoving him in front of the queen, but she definitely feels some kind of kinship with him.” She peers at me again. “Maybe it’s a bit like you and Jax.”
Jax.My heart gives a tug. I desperately wish I had a friend who could understand how much my life has changed.
But then I glance over at my sister, and consider all the secrets I’ve kept— and it makes me wonder if Nora is wishing for the same thing.
I let out a breath. “I’m sorry,” I say. “I shouldn’t have kept secrets.” I hesitate. “This isn’t an excuse, but I . . . I keep forgetting that you’re growing up.”
Maybe I’ve spent too much time with Alek, but I expect her to scoff or hold it against me. I should’ve remembered that Nora has always been quick to forgive and even quicker to forget. She hooks an arm through mine. “You can tell me everything now.”
She’s right.
So I reach down and rip a few blades of dried summer grass from the ground, then hold them out between my hands.
Nora frowns. “What are you—”
“I’m starting with this,” I say. “Watch.”
And then, as we look between my cupped hands, the blades of grass spark and sizzle with flame.
CHAPTER 13
ALEK
Once Callyn and Nora are gone, I’m pleased to realize that they took most of the tension with them. Servants silently enter the room, attending to the queen, pouring us fresh cups of tea and adding small cakes and pastries to the table. Queen Lia Mara is quiet the whole while, her gaze fixed on the training fields below, her red hair gleaming in the sunlight. It’s not overly warm here in the palace, but a hint of sweat has gathered on her brow. She takes a sip of tea once the servants step away, but I notice that she hasn’t touched a single pastry. She’s still a bit pale, but nothing like the shell of a woman I spoke to a few days ago.
“You’re looking better, Your Majesty,” I say quietly.
Her eyes flick to me, and there’s a hint of cynicism in their depths, like she can’t tell if I’m being genuine or if I’m mocking her.
“Truly,” I add.
“I’m glad to hear it, Alek.”
I gesture to the platter of sweets. “You’re not hungry?”
She shakes her head. “Help yourself. You’ve always had a fondness for chocolate.”
That’s true, but the only reason she knows that is because she does, too. I’m surprised she’s not eating, but I’m not going to needle her about it. Not now, when her mental state still seems so precarious and so much is at risk. I ease a small piece of cake onto my plate and take a bite. The sugar all but melts on my tongue.
“Did you send word to the king?” I say. “About the lingering threats from the Truthbringers?”
“Yes,” she says. “I sent word the day we spoke.”
I mentally calculate. A courier likely hasn’t even made it to Ironrose Castle yet. Even if the king took immediate action and determined to return to Syhl Shallow, it would take time to move troops. Even if he got on a horse by himself— which is unlikely— it would take at least another five days. Likely six.
And that’s if he would consider returning. It’s very possible he would deem it too dangerous. He was a massive target for the scravers when he was here. None of that has changed.
The queen’s expression is a bit pained, and I know she’s reflecting on all the same things.
I doubt my news about Nakiis and Xovaar is going to be very reassuring.
She clears her throat and takes another sip of tea. “What did you and Callyn discover today?”
“Myintentwas to meet with other nobles,” I say. “As you ordered.”
