“Oh, blight,” Caleb interrupts me, peering up toward the doorway of the First House. “Someone’s told Fortiss. Here—onto my back. Get up to the first-level balcony, and act like you’ve been there this whole time.”
“But—”
“They’re all looking up there, you’re over here, and we have this cart as protection. Come on!”
He drags me over to the wall of the First House and braces his legs wide, muttering a stream of curses as I step up onto his thigh, then his shoulder, then latch onto the thin stone columns of the balustrade and drag myself up. Caleb grabs one of myflailing feet and shoves it high, the extra push giving me the momentum I need to shove my way through the columns and onto the first-story balcony. I crouch in sudden panic as Fortiss calls out over the courtyard.
“Lord Lemille, well met. You honor the First House with your return.” His voice is calm, strong, and maddeningly sure—like nothing could rattle him, not even the unexpected return of the man who gave me away like a bargaining chip…and then lobbied for my death. I should be grateful for Fortiss’s steadiness. I am grateful. But it also makes me feel like I’m three steps behind, and I hate that.
“Lord Protector Fortiss.” My father sounds far haler and heartier than the last time I saw him. I swallow my rising hysteria as I crouch walk to the far edge of the balcony. This late in the day, the area is hung with shadows, and I slowly work my way to a standing position, smoothing down my clothes. Bits and pieces of weevish gunk still hang from various creases, but I don’t intend to get close enough to my father for him to judge my attire.
I draw in an unsteady breath as he keeps talking. “The Tenth House is secure with your men, and I thank you for it, but there is more work to be done. I have returned to offer my aid.”
All this is shouted loud enough to be heard all the way to Trilion, but I understand the posturing for what it is. The men of the Protectorate shout when they could speak, fight when they could debate, and choke off their enemies when they could simply let them breathe and be.
Fortiss strides down a few steps, and only then do I realize he’s not alone. My heart spasms so hard in my chest I nearly black out.
Tennet also stands at the top of the stairs. Of course he’s beside Fortiss. Where else would he be? The two of them create the perfect picture of twinned power—one bold and brash, theother nuanced and mysterious. And now with my father to complete the trifecta of bristling authority, I think seriously about slinking back over the side of the First House, finding my horse, and fleeing to freedom.
I don’t move, of course. But I think about it.
“And we welcome that aid!” Fortiss proclaims loudly. “It has been a good day for warriors giving their troth to the First House and the Protectorate. All are welcome here. Lady Talia, step forth.”
Hearing my name so unexpectedly, I can do little more than stride forward to the edge of the banister. Fortiss raises his fist to his chest and bows over it to me, his gaze meeting mine.
The bow is formal. The grin isn’t. And the look in his eyes…that’s not for anyone to see but me. A whisper in the chaos swirling around me, reminding that he’s with me.
He’s with me.
I swallow down my confusion, glad I’m far enough away that my father can’t see the blood rushing to my cheeks at this overt display of camaraderie. Fortiss is acknowledging me as a worthy member of his company, and his smirk deepens as I look up at him, as if he somehow knows how I managed to get up onto this empty plaza without going through any doors.
For just a moment our eyes meet, and I reallydowonder how he knew where I’m standing. Through everything we endured in the tournament and the weeks since, Fortiss and I have forged a strange and unique bond, but it’s a bond that was quickly wrought and remains untested.
I want to test that bond, though—need to. So, I manage an uncertain smile in return.
Then he has to ruin it.
“Lady Talia has also brought a new warrior to our house today; one I think you’ll be glad to welcome as well. Lord Tennet of the Twelfth.”
He turns with a flourish as Tennet descends the staircase from the doorway of the First to stand beside them. From my vantage point, I can pick out every difference between the two warriors. As I suspected, Tennet is nearly of a height with Fortiss, but his burly shoulders and thick chest make him seem bigger, coarser, while his wind-weathered face and thick brown hair are a striking contrast to Fortiss’s smooth black locks and bronzed skin. Tennet looks like he could pummel rocks into submission, while Fortiss’s body is built for speed and stealth. Both would be dangerous adversaries, but right now they’re even more dangerous allies.
“Lord Lemille,” Tennet calls out, and it’s a testament to his bulk that he doesn’t even have to raise his voice for it to careen off the courtyard walls. “Well met. I confess I was expecting to see you under much simpler circumstances than these, but the Light clearly blesses us both. Perhaps now—at last—the contract?—”
Outrage spikes through me at what I know—know!—Tennet is going to say, but for once my father’s arrogance works in my favor.
“LordTennetof the Twelfth?” he drawls, cutting Tennet off. “Well met, indeed. It would seem we have much to discuss.”
His tone implies that he plans to do most of the talking, He throws back his cloak and kicks his right foot free of its stirrup, then swings his leg around and dismounts smoothly. He shucks his gloves and hands them to another man, then mounts the stairs to where Tennet and Fortiss stand.
Through all this, he spares me only the slightest, dismissive glance, and I’m keenly aware of my position on this lower balcony as the three of them meet on the landing. Tennet bows to him with only the barest amount of deference and then surprises me by turning to Fortiss with a bright, easy smile.
“What other house lords are here, Lord Protector Fortiss? Or shall we continue directly to your council chambers to talk further?”
“Only Lady Talia,” Fortiss shoots right back, and because I am looking straight at them, I can see the irritation this response generates across my father’s face.
Tennet, however, only deepens his grin. “Oh, by all means she should join us—eventually. I’m sure she’ll have much to say. She and I have already had such interesting conversation over the hours we’ve ridden together today.”
His words teeter somewhere between insolent and mocking, and I barely keep from curving my hands into fists. I don’t know what game he’s playing at, but it’s serving to antagonize everyone.
