I can handle this.
I believe that will fall to me.His sardonic smirk rose.Two minutes left.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” I barked.
“That’s all I’ve discovered, but I’ll keep looking into this, of course. I won’t stop until I’m dead.”
Any other questions?I asked Lorant.Tell me quickly before I have to send him from the room.
I repeated them to Talvon, speaking fast and urging him to reply even faster. “Have you identified specific weaknesses in any of the high lords who might be convinced to rally around my mother? Anything we can exploit to divide or discredit them?”
“I’ve noted a few potential flaws among the high lords who could be tempted. Lord Eldred has been embezzling from his own coffers to support his mistress. Since I've gathered the evidence, we can threaten to expose him to his high lady. He'll soon be rallying everyone to support you as king.” Talvon's sly grin rose. “Lord Cedric has a gambling habit that has left him indebted. If we offer to clear his debts, he’ll be screaming out his loyalty.”
Do it,Lorant said.
That already occurred to me.He was not the only one who could be dry on occasion. “See that this is done.”
“Of course, my king.”
What else do you want to know?I asked Lorant, then spoke to Talvon. “What measures have been taken to secure the palace and the city in case of a sudden coup attempt? Are our forces prepared for an internal threat?”
Talvon nodded, his expression serious. “We've increased patrols within the palace and around the city as you suggested. I've also assigned additional guards to key locations and vital personnel spattered here and there to spy. Hiring more for patrols beyond the wall is helping in many ways. Moreover, I've beenworking with our intelligence network to keep an eye on the high lords' activities. We're as prepared as we can be without alerting them to our knowledge of their plans.”
“Excellent. Can we trust anyone within the court?”
“It's hard to say. Many keep their true loyalties hidden, but I have informants among them who’ve proven reliable, and they're working only for us.”
I patted his back, grateful for his support. “Thank you.”
He jerked out a nod, his gaze sliding to my hand as it dropped to my side.
“Have you discovered any concrete evidence of treason that could be used against the queen mother and her supporters?” I asked. “Something that would hold weight in a council meeting or trial?”
Talvon cleared his throat, well understanding the gravity of the questions. “As of now, my king, the evidence is primarily based on whispered conversations. I've witnessed meetings taking place in secret, seen correspondence passed between your mother and those two specific high lords, but the contents have been carefully guarded. I haven't intercepted anything concrete yet, no signed documents or explicit plans that could be presented to the elders or in a trial. However, the frequency and secrecy of these exchanges suggest they’re closer to acting. It's only a matter of time before we uncover something solid.” He paused, his expression serious. “I assure you, I'm doing everything within my power to gather irrefutable evidence. We need something that will stand against any scrutiny. It’s out there. I won't stop until I find it.”
Fifteen seconds,Lorant growled.
“Time to leave.” I grabbed Talvon’s arm and hustled him to the door, swinging it open and pretty much tossing him out into the hall.
Talvon spun to face me. “Rest assured, Your Majesty, I’ll doeverything I can to protect your throne and the stability of our kingdom.”
“Yes, yes. Notify Briscalar of our conversation and your discovery. Ask him to give me his thoughts.”
Color rose into Talvon’s face. I’d already suspected these two were close, and I was happy for them.
“I will.” His smile rose, not appropriate after our conversation, but he was probably thinking of Briscalar already. “I’ll see to it immed?—”
I slammed the panel closed.
My body started shimmering, sliding between darkness and light.
24
Reyla
As soon as the sun slipped below the horizon, I rushed out of my room. I didn’t pause to speak with Surren or anyone else who might’ve tried to stop me. Down the hall, I knocked on Merrick’s door.
“My queen!” Calista bustled behind, coming to a skidding stop beside me, the skirt of her gown swaying around her like a treetop in a storm. She thrust herself between me and Merrick’s door, her arms outstretched and her lungs heaving. “You cannot be here. I insist you return to your room this instant.”
