“How are they holding up?”
Charlie glanced ahead at Viv and Rowan. “Rowan's furious. Viv's...” Charlie paused. “She's putting on a brave face, but she's pretty shaken. Can't blame her.” Charlie's hand drifted unconsciously toward her sidearm. “Duke knew exactly what he was doing.”
“Yeah.” Ben's voice hardened. “He did.”
They walked in silence for a moment. The crowd noise swelled around them—laughter, music from a nearby stage, vendors hawking their wares. Normal Ren Faire sounds. But nothing felt normal.
“Charlie.” Ben's voice was low enough that only she could hear. “Are you okay?”
The question caught her off guard. She was supposed to be the one checking on everyone else. Making sure Viv was safe. Making sure the perimeter was secure. Making sure?—
“I'm fine,” she said automatically.
Ben gave her a look that said he didn't believe her for a second.
“Really,” Charlie insisted. “I'm just—” She stopped, unsure how to finish that sentence.Just what? Distracted by you? Worried that I’m going to get someone hurt? Feeling like everything's spinning out of control?
Ben's hand found hers just for a second, a brief squeeze of reassurance before he let go.
It was enough to steady her.
“We're almost there,” Shane said. “Charlie, you're in the Queen's section with Viv. I'll be mobile, coordinating with Faire security. Ben?—”
“I'll be with them,” Ben said. “Rowan might need help with the armor between rounds. I don’t think either of us trusts Duke to squire right now.”
Charlie nodded. “Stay sharp, everyone. After that shit show at the game, the crowd's going to be keyed up.”
They reached the entrance to the jousting grounds. A handler in a stable keeper’s costume waited with three horses already saddled—one for Rowan, two for the other jousters. The animals stamped and tossed their heads, picking up on the energy of the gathering crowd.
Viv turned back to look at their group. Her queenly composure was back in place, but Charlie could see the strain around her eyes. “Ready?”
“Ready,” Rowan said. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. For a moment Viv looked alarmed, but then she softened.
“Fuck it. Everyone knows already.” She turned, grabbed Rowan’s shoulders, and kissed him, hard. “Now go get ’em, tiger. Make your queen proud.”
Charlie watched Viv take a deep breath, straighten her shoulders, and lift her chin. The transformation was remarkable—from shaken woman to commanding queen in the space of a heartbeat.
She's stronger than she looks,Charlie thought.They both are.
“Let's give them a show,” Viv said.
Maddie grinned. “You're going to be great. Both of you. Don't let Duke ruin this.”
They got to the entertainer’s entrance and Viv joined the Royal Court. Charlie and Maddie would sneak into the box after the pageantry. The Court filed through the entrance and the crowd's roar washed over them as Viv approached the Queen's box—a raised platform with cushioned seats and a canopy to shade them from the sun. Scanning for threats, Charlie and Maddie skirted the inside of the ring while the Royal Herald announced the list until they stood behind Viv.
Ben stayed with Rowan and Duke near the horses, and Charlie found her gaze tracking him even as she positioned herself behind Viv's seat.
Focus,she told herself.You're on the job.
But when Ben looked up and caught her eye across the arena, that small smile just for her, focusing became the hardest thing in the world.
The Queen's box offered an excellent vantage point—Charlie could see the entire arena, both entrance gates, and most of the crowd from here. She positioned herself slightly behind and to the left of Viv's ornate chair, where she could move in any direction quickly.
Maddie stood on the other side of Viv. “The PR team wants a statement by tonight. I told them we'd have something finalized within the hour.”
"Down, girl." Viv's voice was tight despite the smile she put on for the crowd. "We'll deal with it after the joust."
Charlie's eyes swept the crowd. Families with kids waving foam swords. Couples in elaborate costumes. Groups of college-aged fans wearing homemade Embersworn tabards. Most seemed excited, festive. But there was an undercurrent now—people whispering, phones out, fingers pointing.
