Tocco’s dulcet tone followed. “It’s been getting worse. He’s up to something.”
“We’re figuring out what, while Adda finishes the pill. Then we can make a move,” Mel said firmly.
Murmurs trickled through his water.
“You know we typically attend the Great Assembly,” the unknown man continued. “But Greta can’t hide among the aides this year.”
Someone asked if he’d go alone, another asked when the babe was due.
A long pause followed, before the new man said, “I suppose I—”
“No.” The princess cut him off, her tone firm. “Neither of you are leaving Villa Manolay. I’ll exempt you from the Great Assembly. Mentagra? Does that work?”
Isahn didn’t know what that was, but gratitude colored the couple’s responses.
“Princess, you’re too kind.”
“It’s not kindness, Greta. It’s basic decency.” George’s voice held an edge. “My father requiring your attendance when you’re pregnant is preposterous. The whole affair is absurd.”
“You’ll make a wonderful queen,” the new man said quietly.
“Elio,” George began, deflecting and making some comment that she’d only have the chance if they could pull it off, all together.
Isahn’s mind raced, reassessing everything he thought he knew.
The conversation shifted to evening plans with the group trying to talk George into joining them in town.
“No. I’m tired from the journey, the mirages, the questioning...”
“Come on? Please?” Odos begged.
“Deiwa hathemi.No.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so!”
“Beciss,” the group chorused in unison, and someone laughed.
Footsteps scattered. Doors closed. And conversation moved beyond Isahn’s reach.
Heart pounding, he retracted his magic and blinked at the small window across the room, watching flickering light play off the rough stone.
The constant buzz of anxiety that had thrummed through him since Sorhaven faded away like a pestering fly taking off at long last. His likelihood of dying while captive had just dropped significantly.
These weren’t Gasparo’s people. They were leading a rebellion. Peros was mixed up in this somehow, and if Isahn wanted to figure out what he was planning, staying with George’s group, beingopenwith them might be his best shot. He was fairly sure they were all on the same side.
Lying back on the cot, Isahn fixed his gaze on the stone ceiling, waiting to see what would happen next.
five
George and Isahn go rogue.
GeorgefollowedHildytohercubiculumand plopped down on the bed as Hil changed for an evening on the town.
“Do you want to borrow one of my dresses?” George asked.
Hildy sneered. “You think I need it to get laid?”
