I sucked in a startled breath. “You did?”
“The prior commander kept notes in a personal diary. Let me say that what I read there not only shocked but horrified me, though I’m not sure I can believe much of it.”
Had she been offered a taste of Nullen power yet? I couldn’t delicately ask. In fact, I should spill the information and flit from here as soon as possible. She might—
“But I’ve given it considerable thought and done some delicate investigation. Ivenrail has been betraying us.” Jessia’s hand lifted before I could speak. “I’m sure you’ll report me saying this to the fae king, but I’m not afraid of anyone. Not the Lieges. Not the dregs. And not a king who appears determined to overrun Nullen territory. We’ve protected the villages from the dregs for a very long time, and I’m equally prepared to turn our forces in the opposite direction if needed to protect our people from the fae.”
“I’m fae.” I had to be honest. “I only recently discovered this.”
“You arrived here with no information about your past.” Her gaze flicked down, though she couldn’t see my lower body from where she sat. “You were horribly wounded on your thigh.” She returned her attention to my face. “Fae? I’d guess Lydel Court, then.” Her head tilted. “Are you related to the high lady herself?”
This woman had always been smart.
And I’d always trusted her.
“I’m the Lydel heir.”
She sucked in a breath. “Ah. Yes. Of course. Yet you’re collared?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Who do you ally yourself with?” The sharp edge in her voice would slice through a dreg’s spine. “The fae or us?”
“In my heart, I’m Nullen. I always will be. You know I would give my life to protect us.”
“In the past, yes. What about now?”
This woman was also much more clever than the prior commander who’d held more greed in his heart than wisdom.
“My resolve is unchanged,” I said. “That’s why I came here. King Ivenrail killed all the Lieges yesterday.” Had it only been yesterday? It felt like a lifetime ago.
Jessia sat bolt upright, her hands slamming down onto the smooth desk surface. “That’s not possible.”
“I saw their bodies lying on the ground in front of Bledmire Castle. The man who killed them is the king’s new enforcer, Kerune Vestigard.”
Her entire body sagged. “I’ve heard the name.”
“In what connotation?”
Brow furrowing, she shook her head. “I think it was . . .” Her expression cleared. “Yes, when I traveled with the group to the city, and we assisted the Nullen king.”
Kinart had been with her, but if she’d heard what he did, she’d be dead, not sitting in the fortress commander’s chair. Unless she hadn’t told anyone what she . . .
I flitted to the door and cracked it open, finding only therider pacing around the waiting area. With a grumble, he left, striding into the hall.
After flitting to the roof above her window, I peered over the side, finding no one standing on the ground below or leaning out a window near hers. Cocking my head, I traveled, snapping my spirit around the area and only returning to my body and flitting back to her office when I was sure no one could be listening.
She jolted when I appeared in front of her, all color fading from her face. “You . . .” Her throat worked hard for her swallow. “Youarefae.”
“Through and through. Do you have guards?”
“You mean those on watch on the wall?”
“Personal guards. You need at least four. Rotate their shifts. They need to remain armed at all times and watch your back.”
“You’re suggesting someone might kill me?”
“Kinart was murdered.”
