I’ll talk with her. Tell her to stop or else.
You won’t be able to carry out ‘or else,’ but I can. As you’ve said, this is me, not you. I’ll handle it.He paced, his image wavering into the mirror before disappearing, though I’d determined years ago that only I could see him there.At least let me look into this in my own way. Once we eliminate the threat, the rest will back off. Or disappear.
Assassin.
Then we can focus on what’s important,he added.
Reyla. I didn’t even need to speak her name.
Always,he breathed.
The wild passion in his voice made me pause.You love her?
He said nothing, and when I slanted a glance toward the mirror, he was staring at the floor.Four minutes and ten seconds.
“Which high lord is speaking so vocally?” I quickly asked Talvon.
“There are two, actually. Lord Hadrin of Mirkwood, the one accused of stealing Devron Bullipart’s cows.”
No surprise there,Lorant said.
“And?”
Talvon pinched his eyes closed before opening them again. I read sympathy there. “Zeiger.”
The highest lord in my court, next in line for my throne if something should happen to me and my mother. “I’m not worried about Hadrin.”
“Zeiger’s words will carry the most weight.” Talvon knew exactly what I meant.
Kill them both.Lorant’s sharp gaze met mine in the mirror. His words came out in rapid fire.We cannot allow this to continue. If they rally others to their cause, we’ll find ourselves warring within our own court before our thirtieth birthday. And we know what’ll happen after that. Reyla will be left to deal with your mother and the rest. She’s strong, but she’s new to the court. They will not permit her to rule as she should. Not even if?—
She was pregnant with our child.
We don’t have time to play with this,he snapped.Kill Zeiger and Hadrin, and anyone else contemplating supporting your mother will back down. Send this message and do it now.
“You’re sure Zeiger’s involved?” I asked Talvon. Hadrin could be handled, but the highest lord in my court?
Damn my mother.
“Heard him myself,” Talvon said. “I followed him after I heard he and Hadrin had been meeting with the queen mother frequently and were trying to rally support among other nobles, though no others have, as of yet, committed to their cause.”
Then I needed to solidify what support I could as soon as possible.
I will speak with Zeiger,Lorant growled.
I doubted he could make things worse.
Talvon grunted. “I’m sorry I have to share this news with you.”
I was sure he was. “How did you overhear them? Surely they didn’t speak of this out in the open?”
“The guard has ways.”
Kill your mother and Zeiger now,Lorant roared.
Fucking shut up!
His gaze blazed into mine in the mirror.Drifting to the night side, are you, my king?
