The chamber was quiet, save for a breath or two. Finally, His Majesty relaxed, and reluctantly, he nodded. “I suppose there is some relief to such amendments…” He scanned the parchment.“There may not be fine print, but thereareother conditions here. This one, what is it?” he asked. “Who is Willem Ólason?”
Cyrus tensed. “What?”
“That is a contract of employment, Your Majesty,” I said.
“I see that. It says here that ‘Willem Ólason is to be released from contract of service with the King, and is to relocate himself to Oreia for special detail as to be determined by Her Majesty.’”
“Yes,” I said.
“Svana,” Cyrus breathed.
The King waited for his answer. “Am I supposed to know a ‘Willem Ólason,’ Your Majesty? Who is he? One of my servants?”
I laughed, a sharp and disbelieving breath. Then I turned, turning over my palm toward my Sword.“Mr. Evergreen,”I said. “Would you prefer I answer or would you like to do the honors?”
Willem was still for a moment, then took a step. “It’s…It’s me, Your Majesty,” he said. “I’m Willem Ólason.”
The King made a face. “Your name is Evergreen. You instruct my son. I knowyou.”
“Yes,” Will said. “I answer to Evergreen, as well. But Ólason is my given name. Willem Ólason. That’s who I was before I came to Chalke.”
“What on God’s green acres is happening exactly?”the King asked. “Marriages being canceled, names being changed! Does anyone want to explain what’s going on?”
“I’ll explain,” I said. I raised my hand. “Cyrus Evergreen is a rake and liar.”
“What?”the King barked, confused.
“Brillaint. Thanks, love,” Evergreen said.
“I–”I groaned, then sighed. “I meant, Cyrus Evergreen is a rake and a liar, but this man isnotCyrus Evergreen. This man is Willem Ólason, named after his father, and his. He used to work for mine when I was a child. His father was our ostler.We’ve known each other since I was a girl. He is also the bravest, boldest man I have ever known, and he’s Oreian. Which only matters, because he belongs in Oreia. That clause–that contract of employee, it says that with this amendment, I keep him here with me in King’s Land. In my home.”
“Home,” Evergreen said.
The King waved lazily. “Fine. Take him,” he said. “A strange ask, but by all means. He’s yours.”
I lost a gasp, closing my eyes in realization. “Then you accept my terms?”
He studied me a moment longer. “Yes, I accept the terms.”
“Oh, God be good,” I muttered.
Sam cheered, he embarrassed Agatha, she was stunned. And I, I felt an impossible weight lift from my shoulders. My eyes stung with sudden tears that threatened to fall down my face. I held them in as I looked at Elías. He looked at me.
“Good,” I said, nodding. “Good.” I let the word hang in the air a second longer. Then I signaled to the Lord Commander who pulled his sword, moving to position himself. “Then there’s something else,” I added.
The King scowled. “I knew it!”
I dismissed him. “Not like that,” I said. We moved toward Willem.
“What are you doing?”he asked. He looked at Eli, then at me, eyes widening. “What is he…What are you doing, Svana? No. We talked about this.”
“Aye, we did talk about it,” I said. I bobbed my head, but Elías still raised his blade, flattening it in front of his face for the rite. I inhaled deeply, then began. “And now we talk about it another time.”
“You can’t–”
“I can, actually,” I said. “I’m Queen, remember?”
“Alright. I’ll ask. What is going on?” the King said.
