Chapter Twelve
“Imentioned thismorning that I’ve been receiving messages from Dasnaria,” she began in a neutral tone, gaze on her food, not me.
“That you believe might be from Inga. You didn’t say why, other than that they sound feminine in tone.”
She flicked me a glance, both of us recalling that conversation and how it had ended. “Jepp said that Inga indicated she would remain in communicationif she could.”
I sat back, surprised. Jepp hadn’t told me that, though she’d relayed greetings and good wishes from Inga and Helva both. “Is there a reason you didn’t tell me that?” I inquired, as evenly as possible.
“Yes,” she replied in the same tone, “because I paid less attention to it than I should have. It didn’t occur to either Jepp or me that Inga meant she’d send coded information onthe politics inside the Imperial Palace. I underestimated her.”
I nodded, accepting that. Inga had changed a great deal then, from the girl I’d known, if she’d indeed decided to betray the empire and had worked out a way to do it. “How is she getting messages out?”
“An excellent question and one I don’t have the answer to. The messages arrive with other ones from within the Thirteen, markedas personal correspondence, written in Common Tongue, and apparently full of gossip from a cousin by marriage.”
“You don’t have any cousins who aren’t Tala,” I mused.
“Exactly. So she knows enough about me to include that information to tip me off. She also regularly speaks of my consort’s continuing good health, she and her sister sending him love and the best of wishes.”
I closed my eyesbriefly, the surge of old affection taking me unawares. Until that moment I hadn’t realized how much I missed them. Perhaps coming to terms with losing Jenna, letting her go after all this time, allowed me to remember the good parts of our lives, and how I’d loved my other sisters, too.
“She also warns me that my consort might face some sort of competition,” Ursula continued, her tone exceedinglyneutral. “With the code she’s using, it hasn’t been clear to me what she meant—a threat against you or something else. That’s another reason I haven’t mentioned it to you.” Her eyes were clear and without guile when I looked at her.
I continued to play this her way. “What sorts of competition does she describe?”
Ursula gave an irritated shrug. “It’s couched in silly phrases; you likely to losea tournament—when we know you don’t participate in such things—or being disqualified from some sort of gaming championship. Nonsense.”
I grunted noncommittally, beginning to form an idea of what might be coming.
“Now Kral has received a formal communication, delivered to theHákyrling, from your brother, Emperor Hestar.”
Glad I’d had the wit not to be caught with food to choke on or wine tospit, I shoved my plate away and leaned my elbows on the table, cupping a fist in my hand and propping my chin on them. That way I’d be less likely to strangle her. “It’s taken youthislong to mention that?”
Her eyes snapped sword-sharp with irritation. “If you’d controlled your temper—words Ineverthought I’d have to say to you—you would’ve been there to hear the news at the same time I did.Then you had to dash yourself brainless against a shapeshifter and we had a lot of old secrets to clear off the table, which was also your doing. Don’t second-guess me in this, Harlan.”
I took a breath and let it go. “Fine. What does this communication from my esteemed brother offer?” I knew what it would be, from Inga’s hints, in my bones—from knowing my family so well, perhaps—and only neededto hear the words.
“It contains an offer of alliance. A marriage of state, between me and your brother Ban.”
And there it was. It almost didn’t hurt, I’d been braced for that particular blow for so long. “Don’t accept Ban,” I told her. “He’s never been right in the head. Hold out for Mykal, or one of the twins.”
She gaped at me. I didn’t often catch Ursula flat-footed. Sadly I couldn’t enjoyit this time. Determinedly I bit into a leg of meat, chewing, counting the beats of silence until the explosion.
“That’s your response.” She was entirely astonished—and quiet with it. I would’ve preferred the explosion.
“Yes—the best advice I can give. Ban was born wrong. He’s fine in body, but not all there in his mind. Though that might be useful for your purposes.” As soon as the words escapedmy mouth, I regretted them. So much for keeping my cool.
“I don’t deserve that,” she said quietly.
“No.” I blew out a breath. “I apologize. Though offering you Banisan insult. Mykal or one of the twins would be more fitting for you to marry.”
“Harlan. I’m not marrying any of them.”
“What did Hestar offer?”
“What?”
I wiped the grease from my hands, giving her a knowing look. “A marriageof alliance with Dasnaria gets what for the High Throne of the Thirteen Kingdoms?” I phrased it deliberately, if unfairly prodding her, emphasizing where we both knew her responsibilities lay.
