“I…” he began, his voice snagging on unspoken thoughts. His hand lifted, hovering near my face as if to touch my cheek, then clenched into a fist. A raw desperation lingered in his expression, then he forced his eyes shut.
I knew that look. I’d caught it too many times to pretend otherwise; the way his gaze lingered, heavy with want. And worse, the answering pull in my chest that I kept trying to smother.
“Thank you,” he said. When he opened his eyes again, the mask slid back into place, though now it didn’t fit as well as it once had. “It’s lovely, Alana, but you shouldn’t have…”
“I’ve had it for a while. Wasn’t sure when it would be right to give it to you.”I signed, suddenly unable to meet his eyes.
Quinn swallowed hard, returning his focus to the ring as though he’d find answers within the garnet. “Nicolas is trying, you know. What happened with the Baldens…”
I tilted my head, brow furrowing.
“He was only ten when a nurse who’d raised him from birth tried to smother him in his sleep.” The words came faster now, like every word he spoke would put another brick on the wall between us. His accent thickened as it always did when he felt strongly about something. “Ten years old, fighting for air against someone he’d trusted his entire life. Then at thirteen, poisoned at his name day feast. Fifteen, an arrow that missed his heart by inches during a hunt… He’s not cruel by nature, Alana. Fear made him this way. But the musicians tonight, and the jester? He’s trying to remember what joy feels like. Foryou. He speaks of nothing but making you happy, when he’s not consumed by the terror of losing you.”
But even as he spoke of his friend, his thumb absently stroked the intricate weave of the ring. His eyes lingered on my lips, my loosened hair, the way my nightgown had slipped slightly off one shoulder from the fall. I adjusted it, but the damage was done.
“You should go inside,” he said. “Before someone sees you like this.”
I parted my lips, then shut them into a thin line.“Are you well, Lord Quinn?”
A short, sharp exhale blew through his nose, followed by a low chuckle that was more air than voice. Three broken notes that died quickly, swallowed back down like a bitter pill. Something cracked in his expression. “No, Alana. I’m rather far from well.”
I chewed my tongue, easing toward him. He took a step back, straightening.
“Forgive me. The hour is late and I am not myself. I thank you for the gift, it is beautiful. As is the gesture.”
I put my hand down. I hadn’t felt it raise.
When had I become such a liar? To him, to Nicolas…to myself? Ihadfelt it raise, and I knew why it did, just as I knew why I’d sought him out wearing only a nightgown, why I’d fixated so heavily on that stupid ring.
Friend.
The word mocked me as I watched him disappear into his room.
Chapter 29
A Norsomber fishermanwas the first to make a report of the strange ships that loitered on the clouded horizon of the northern coast, unperturbed by the gales or storms that sometimes ravaged the area. It was as if they had anchored out at sea, never coming any closer than they were when he’d first spotted them, though occasionally they would disappear for days at a time before making a return.
The information arrived through military channels, delivered by Captain Branning of the castle’s guard. I’d heard his name, but seldom came across the man in person. He had a unique aura about him, the bearing of a man who had seen war and came out thick-skinned as a result. His cheekbones protruded in a way that made his face especially geometric, but in his younger years, he would have been handsome.
“It must be Korosa,” was the general attitude of the gathered council. It was possible they’d heard of the repurposed naval ships and were gathered to observe affairs in Gallae. I knew little of the northern nation, but it was obvious from the atmosphere that they were no ally to Antier. It remained to be seen if they were preparing to make themselves an enemy, but if they were, diverting even a small portion of the naval fleet was a risk.
The queen tapped her fingers on the table.
“We might raise taxes,” offered Marquis Tharon. “Cover the cost of new ships.”
“Our people sustain themselves on rationed porridge and whatever they can gather from the wilds. We have even relaxed our poaching laws.” Queen Adelaide scowled. “If you’d like to bear witness to another bloody revolt, then by all means, Lord Trefor, let it be done. I will let you wear the crown, while we are at it, andI shall retire to some sunny place where I might lie naked in the sun with a drink in my left hand and a young, handsome plaything on my right.”
The marquis opened his mouth, shut it, and settled back into his seat. The queen’s fingers continued their repetitive motion, nails clacking on the wood.
“It’s unlikely they’ll do anything immediately,” she said. “Their emperor keeps busy with that never-ending war on Sala, and he’s reserved a seat for the wedding. That buys us some time.”
Quinn twirled the ring around his finger before speaking. “Your Majesty, if I may—the Korosans are being far too obvious. If they only meant to spy, they would simply send an agent to our shores. They may be expecting us to react to their presence; it’s an attempt to goad us north, perhaps to further strain our resources. If they do intend on starting anything, they’ll want to see us weakened first. Emperor Emil has already got one war going on. If he wages another, surely he would not act without certainty of a swift and decisive victory.”
Queen Adelaide’s drumming stopped. “Are you suggesting we ignore them?”
“I’m suggesting that if Korosa is going to watch us, we should give them something a little more entertaining.” Quinn leaned forward. “Theatrics. Let us take our damaged vessels from dry dock and give them the illusion of seaworthiness. Tow those to the north with skeleton crews, fly full colors, and let their intelligence reports betray them. Meanwhile…perhaps we might discreetly inform the Salans of the peculiar naval movement.
“As for the wedding, let the emperor find us with an impression of prosperity. Let him return believing Antier is too strong for an invasion attempt.”
