“I’ve made it so the Clockwork Brigade will have much to answer for.” She frowned prettily at him as they stepped inside the palace, leaving the heat of summer behind for a more moderate temperature. “But there is a girl.”
Innes’ expression never wavered. “I am aware of what the broadsheets are reporting.”
“You promised me I would be the last Rourke and the only remaining magician in Ashion who could cast starfire.”
“I hear doubt in your words, princess.”
“I don’t question your methods, my lord. I question the efforts of your brethren. The North Star set her decree, after all. Would it not be amiss for her to have a pawn in this game as well?”
“Would you rather walk the road Aaralyn could have given you over mine?”
“Never.”
“I promised you a throne, Eimarille. You will have it.”
She nodded at that pronouncement, relieved to know she still had his blessing. “I’ve sent arionetkaafter the girl. She’ll not see the threat.”
“You hope.”
“Love makes people blind.”
“And what of yourself?”
“I have never let my heart blind me. I’ve proven that to you before, and I will prove it again today.”
Innes tipped his head in her direction, pride in his eyes when he looked at her. “I must say, you are dressed better for this coup than the last one you were part of.”
She’d changed clothes on the flight over, opting for a floor-length lilac-colored gown cinched in by a metal belt made out of silver. The long flowing sleeves opened at the elbow on the outside and tapered down to a length that ended past her fingertips. The high neck of the collar was tied in place with a silken bow at the back of her neck. Fitted over her shoulders, with points ending near her shoulder blades and curved around her breasts, was a filigreed metal adornment that mimicked armor.
She’d twisted her hair up into a bun secured at the back of her head, low enough that it didn’t interfere with the tiara she’d chosen to wear. It wasn’t one from the Iverson bloodline’s collection but one which the prime minister had gifted her at the behest of a historical society in Amari.
The tiara was silver, lined with diamonds and opals, a royal headpiece her great-grandmother had apparently favored. Eimarille thought it only fitting she wore it for the meeting she steadfastly marched to.
The soldiers assigned to the palace guard nodded respectfully as Eimarille and Innes passed them in the hallways on their way to the wing of the palace Bernard worked out of.
Kote had kept her apprised of Bernard’s interference with the military. Upon reflection, after everything that had occurred in Amari, Eimarille wasn’t averse to the border breach he wanted. He just wouldn’t be the one overseeing the incursion into Ashion.
If anyone was to break the armistice, it would be Eimarille.
“Where is the king?” Eimarille asked a passing servant as they left the public area of the palace for the private one.
The young woman dipped into a deep curtsy, looking a bit startled at Eimarille’s sudden appearance. “Meeting with the prime minister in the Cobalt Room, Your Royal Highness.”
Their small group moved on, following a familiar path to the room where Eimarille had observed many a meeting over the years. The guards on either side of the door leading to the Cobalt Room were too high-ranking for the job of standing watch. She eyed their uniforms and allowed herself a smile.
“Is High General Kote inside?” she asked.
The captain to her right nodded sharply. “He is, Your Royal Highness.”
“Excellent.” She looked over her shoulder at where Terilyn stood, holding Lisandro in her arms. “Give me a moment to get this sorted.”
Innes lifted Eimarille’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles softly. “I await your coronation, my dear.”
“I’ll crown myself, thank you very much.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.”
Eimarille left them behind and pushed open the doors to the Cobalt Room, her sudden appearance putting a momentary halt to the argument currently being held at the long table. Eimarille let the door fall shut behind her, taking in everyone who was there.
